Health and social costs of unemployment: Research and policy considerations

Reviews recent studies of the social and private costs of unemployment. Although the experience of joblessness differs according to circumstances, prolonged unemployment is commonly a serious threat to health and the broad quality of life. These costs are borne not only by individual workers, but also by their families and communities. Research on unemployment has examined (1) associations between unemployment rate and indicators of strain such as psychiatric admissions and infant mortality, (2) ecologic studies of economic change, and (3) associations between unemployment and the demand for mental health services. The implications of this research for economic and social policy are discussed and contrasted with policy development premised on a benign view of unemployment. (20 ref)