Long-term unemployment and mortality in Sweden, 1980–1986
Social Science & MedicinePublished 1 January 1991
Claes-Göran Stefansson
Citations69
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score2.10
SNIP2.01
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TL;DR
The mortality of a cohort of long-term unemployed men and women in Sweden was followed up during the period 1980-1986 and it is discussed whether the high risks for young/middle-aged men could be an effect of mental disturbances due to unemployment followed by high psycho-social stress.
Abstract
The mortality of a cohort of long-term unemployed men and women in Sweden (N = 28,846) was followed up during the period 1980-1986. Compared to a population of employed, the total mortality rate ratios (with 95% confidence limit) were 1.37 (1.22-1.53); for men 1.61 (1.42-1.84) and for women 1.14 (0.91-1.42). The young/middle-aged men had about four times higher relative mortality than all men. Suicide and alcohol-related deaths could not explain the excess mortality among these men. It is discussed whether the high risks for young/middle-aged men could be an effect of mental disturbances due to unemployment followed by high psycho-social stress. The effect of employment status on social and psychological identity may be greater for men than for women, for whom there may be more compensatory factors.
Keywords
Social SciencesHealth Professions
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