Unemployment and changes in health status and social status
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37886/Keywords:
qualitative research, quality of life, social exclusion, social status, stressAbstract
Research Question (RQ): How the unemployed perceive and experience the effects of unemployment on their health.
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine and present the impact of unemployment on health and physical, psychological and social sphere of life of the unemployed people.
Method: Qualitative research design was applied. Stratified sample included six unemployed people, including three women and three men, aged 21 to 49 years. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews and analysed using content analysis method.
Results: The analysis yield four themes that define the impact of unemployment on the life of the unemployed: (1) the impact of unemployment on health, (2) the impact of unemployment on the quality of life, (3) a life before unemployment: differences in the assessment of social status and well-being, (4) social status of unemployed. Research findings suggest that unemployment has a significant impact on the life of the unemployed, so when considering the consequences of unemployment, it is of the most importance to consider the subjective perspective of experiencing unemployment. The latter does not only cause economic difficulties, but also effects the health of unemployed person, which otherwise between individuals vary, but in general psychological problems occur, which are perceived as stress, depression and anxiety. Unemployment is also characterizing the person’s social position, because it affects the possibility of providing the optimal quality of life and degree of social inclusion.
Organization: Results of the research offer findings about the relationship between unemployment and health, which could contribute to the creation of appropriate policy measures to overcome/prevent health problems associated with the unemployment status. The findings would also aid other researchers, which could base on these findings, be able to perform further research about the research topic.
Society: The research points out the importance of offering support to the unemployed in these difficult times for them.
Originality: In Slovenia there is a lack of sufficient literature describing the impact of the unemployment on health.
Limitations/Future Research: Opportunities for further research are reflected in using the mixed methods approach, within which it is necessary to increase the variability of the sample and its size.
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