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Nervous and depressive symptoms in a longitudinal study of youth unemployment—selection or exposure?,☆☆

https://doi.org/10.1006/jado.1997.0086Get rights and content

Abstract

One thousand and sixty young people were followed for 5 years from the last term of compulsory school. Unemployment correlated positively with changes in nervous complaints and depressive symptoms, even after controlling for initial psychological health and background factors. There were no pronounced gender differences. Qualitative methods were used to study mediating factors between unemployment and mental health, including lack of self-confidence, self-blame, stress, isolation, lack of control and resignation.

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    Reprint requests and correspondence should be addressed to A. Hammarston, Department of Family Medicine, Umea University, S-901 85 UME, Sweden.

    ☆☆

    Ehnrooth, J.Siurala, L.

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