The impact of job loss on family mental health

Silvia Mendolia

Research output: Working paper

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Abstract

The objective of this paper is to examine the impact of job loss on family mental well-being. The negative income shock can affect the mental health status of the individual who directly experiences such displacement, as well as the psychological well-being of her/his partner; also, job loss may have a significantly detrimental effect on life satisfaction, self-esteem and on the individual’s perceived role in society. This analysis is based on a sample of married/cohabitating couples from the first 14 waves of the BHPS. Controls are included for mental-health related sample attrition and mental health dynamics. In order to correct for the possible endogeneity of job loss, data from employment histories is utilised and redundancies (different from dismissals) in declining industries are used as an indicator of exogenous job loss. Results show evidence that couples in which the husband experiences a job loss are more likely to experience poor mental health.
Original languageEnglish
PublisherUniversity of Aberdeen: Business School
Number of pages47
Publication statusPublished - 2011

Keywords

  • job loss
  • mental health
  • income shock
  • psychological well-being

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