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Factors Related to Unemployment in Europe. A Cross-Sectional Study from the COURAGE Survey in Finland, Poland and Spain

Author

Listed:
  • Matilde Leonardi

    (Neurological Institute C. Besta IRCCS Foundation, Neurology, Public Health and Disability Unit, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Davide Guido

    (Neurological Institute C. Besta IRCCS Foundation, Neurology, Public Health and Disability Unit, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Rui Quintas

    (Neurological Institute C. Besta IRCCS Foundation, Neurology, Public Health and Disability Unit, 20133 Milan, Italy
    Neurological Institute C. Besta IRCCS Foundation, Clinical and Experimental Epileptology Unit, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Fabiola Silvaggi

    (Neurological Institute C. Besta IRCCS Foundation, Neurology, Public Health and Disability Unit, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Erika Guastafierro

    (Neurological Institute C. Besta IRCCS Foundation, Neurology, Public Health and Disability Unit, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Andrea Martinuzzi

    (E. Medea Scientific Institute, Conegliano-Pieve di Soligo Research Centre, 31015 Conegliano Veneto, Italy)

  • Somnath Chatterji

    (Information, Evidence and Research Unit, World Health Organization, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Seppo Koskinen

    (Ageing, Disability and Functioning Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Beata Tobiasz-Adamczyk

    (Department of Medical Sociology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-034 Krakow, Poland)

  • Josep Maria Haro

    (Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, CIBERSAM, 08830 Barcelona, Spain
    Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, 28029 Madrid, Spain)

  • Maria Cabello

    (Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, 28029 Madrid, Spain
    Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, 28029 Madrid, Spain)

  • Alberto Raggi

    (Neurological Institute C. Besta IRCCS Foundation, Neurology, Public Health and Disability Unit, 20133 Milan, Italy)

Abstract

Background : Research addressing the impact of a large number of factors on unemployment is scarce. We aimed to comprehensively identify factors related to unemployment in a sample of persons aged 18–64 from Finland, Poland and Spain. Methods : In this cross-sectional study, factors from different areas were considered: socio-demographic indicators, health habits, chronic conditions, health state markers, vision and hearing indicators, and social networks and built environment scores. Results : Complete data were available for 5003 participants, mean age 48.1 (SD 11.5), 45.4% males. The most important factors connected to unemployment were health status indicators such as physical disability (OR = 2.944), self-rated health (OR = 2.629), inpatient care (OR = 1.980), and difficulties with getting to the toilet (OR = 2.040), while the most relevant factor related to employment were moderate alcohol consumption (OR = 0.732 for non-heavy drinkers; OR = 0.573 for infrequent heavy drinkers), and being married (OR = 0.734), or having been married (OR = 0.584). Other factors that played a significant role included presence of depression (OR = 1.384) and difficulties with near vision (OR = 1.584) and conversation hearing (OR = 1.597). Conclusions : Our results highlight the importance of selected factors related to unemployment, and suggest public health indications that could support concrete actions on modifiable factors, such as those aimed to promote physical activity and healthy behaviors, tackling depression or promoting education, in particular for the younger.

Suggested Citation

  • Matilde Leonardi & Davide Guido & Rui Quintas & Fabiola Silvaggi & Erika Guastafierro & Andrea Martinuzzi & Somnath Chatterji & Seppo Koskinen & Beata Tobiasz-Adamczyk & Josep Maria Haro & Maria Cabel, 2018. "Factors Related to Unemployment in Europe. A Cross-Sectional Study from the COURAGE Survey in Finland, Poland and Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-21, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:4:p:722-:d:140577
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    References listed on IDEAS

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