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A strong welfare state mitigates the impact of the Great Recession

Date:
October 23, 2014
Source:
Stockholm University
Summary:
There is a general correlation between unemployment and suicide among men. But the weaker the unemployment protection in the country, the stronger the connection. These findings are reported in a comparative study covering thirty countries, focusing the impact of the Great Recession on unemployment and suicide rates.
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There is a general correlation between unemployment and suicide among men. But the weaker the unemployment protection in the country, the stronger the connection. These findings are reported in a comparative study covering thirty countries, focusing the impact of the Great Recession on unemployment and suicide rates. The paper is published online in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.

The impact of the Great Recession varies widely between different countries. The rise in unemployment in the wake of the Great Recession was strongest in eastern and southern Europe, weaker in Scandinavia and barely noticeable in Continental Europe. The study showed a general correlation between increases in unemployment and suicide among men.

"However, there were significant differences between countries and we found that the lower the unemployment protection in the country, the stronger the relationship," says Thor Norström at the Swedish Institute for Social Research, Stockholm University. However, there was no sign that the relationship would be particularly strong during the Great Recession compared to previous economic downturns.

"There is surprisingly little research on the impact of the Great Recession on population health," Norström continues. "Our results suggest that a strong welfare state mitigates the negative effects of recessions on population mental health, often proxied by the suicide rate. For Scandinavia, there was no association between increased unemployment and suicide."


Story Source:

Materials provided by Stockholm University. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. T. Norstrom, H. Gronqvist. The Great Recession, unemployment and suicide. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 2014; DOI: 10.1136/jech-2014-204602

Cite This Page:

Stockholm University. "A strong welfare state mitigates the impact of the Great Recession." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 23 October 2014. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141023091809.htm>.
Stockholm University. (2014, October 23). A strong welfare state mitigates the impact of the Great Recession. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141023091809.htm
Stockholm University. "A strong welfare state mitigates the impact of the Great Recession." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141023091809.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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