Trends in psychological research on unemployment and health Tendencias en la investigación psicológica sobre desempleo y salud

Abstract

Unemployment is a complex phenomenon which has been investigated from different disciplines. Its association with health problems has been well established. this study establishes six main axes of psychological investigation about the relationship between unemployment and mental and physical health: a) unemployment, depression and stress; b) unemployment and psychological wellbeing; c) unemployment and mental health of families of unemployed people; d) unemployment, mental health and gender; e) unemployment and physical health and f) unemployment, mortality and suicide. the tendencies of the investigation are described and analyzed in each axis. Possible research topics are proposed for future investigations. the conclusions reached highlight the importance of increasing research on the following topics: the effects of unemployment on physical health; frequency and type of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts by unemployed people; and prevention and intervention programs dealing with the negative effects that unemployment generates at different stages.