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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

Published in:

01-03-2006 | Original Article

Effects of short- and long-term unemployment on physical work capacity and on serum cortisol

Authors: Richard Maier, Andrea Egger, Alfred Barth, Robert Winker, Wolf Osterode, Michael Kundi, Christian Wolf, Hugo Ruediger

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 3/2006

Abstract

Aim: To investigate whether a decrease in physical working capacity occurs during the first year of unemployment and if this is accompanied by a deterioration in mental health. Methods: In a longitudinal study, 71 unemployed individuals were investigated for 1, 6 months and 1 year after becoming unemployed. An additional 102 individuals who have been unemployed for more than 1 year were included in the cross-sectional part of the study. Possible decrease of physical working capacity was tested by bicycle ergometry. Psycho-emotional stress was tested by serum cortisol concentrations and by the Giessen symptom questionnaire. Results: In short-term unemployed (STU) individuals, a significant decrease (P=0.001) of physical working capacity (16.3%) and a significant increase (P=0.004) of cortisol levels (17.6 μg/dl) was found. The Giessen symptom questionnaire score showed an increased emotional disturbance (P=0.035) during unemployment. The comparison of long-term unemployed and STU revealed a significant decrease (P=0.012) in physical working capacity (18.2%), a significant increase in cortisol levels (P=0.001) and a significant worsening of the Giessen symptom questionnaire score (P=0.001). Conclusion: Unemployment has a negative effect on physical working capacity and mental health, depending on the duration of unemployment. Factors that facilitate or impede physical and mental health during unemployment should be identified in future studies.

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Title: Effects of short- and long-term unemployment on physical work capacity and on serum cortisol
Authors: Richard Maier
Andrea Egger
Alfred Barth
Robert Winker
Wolf Osterode
Michael Kundi
Christian Wolf
Hugo Ruediger
Publication date: 01-03-2006
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 3/2006
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-005-0052-9

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Effects of short- and long-term unemployment on physical work capacity and on serum cortisol

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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