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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2013

Open Access 01-12-2013 | Research article

The influence of re-employment on quality of life and self-rated health, a longitudinal study among unemployed persons in the Netherlands

Authors: Bouwine E Carlier, Merel Schuring, Freek JB Lötters, Bernhard Bakker, Natacha Borgers, Alex Burdorf

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2013

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Abstract

Background

Unemployed persons have a poorer health compared with employed persons and unemployment may cause ill health. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of re-employment on quality of life and health among unemployed persons on social benefits.

Methods

A prospective study with 18 months follow-up was conducted among unemployed persons (n=4,308) in the Netherlands, receiving either unemployment benefits or social security benefits. Quality of life, self-rated health, and employment status were measured at baseline and every 6 months of follow up with questionnaires. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) modeling was performed to study the influence of re-employment on change in self-rated health and quality of life over time.

Results

In the study population 29% had a less than good quality of life and 17% had a poor self-rated health. Persons who started with paid employment during the follow-up period were more likely to improve towards a good quality of life (OR 1.76) and a good self-rated health (OR 2.88) compared with those persons who remained unemployed. Up to 6 months after re-employment, every month with paid employment, the likelihood of a good quality of life increased (OR 1.12).

Conclusions

Starting with paid employment improves quality of life and self-rated health. This suggests that labour force participation should be considered as an important measure to improve health of unemployed persons. Improving possibilities for unemployed persons to find paid employment will reduce socioeconomic inequalities in health.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
The influence of re-employment on quality of life and self-rated health, a longitudinal study among unemployed persons in the Netherlands
Authors
Bouwine E Carlier
Merel Schuring
Freek JB Lötters
Bernhard Bakker
Natacha Borgers
Alex Burdorf
Publication date
01-12-2013
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-503

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