Employment Status, Anxiety and Depression in a Municipal Context

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression by employment status among a sample of the working age population residing in Gävle Municipality in Sweden.

Methods: A total of 241 persons completed a self-administered postal questionnaire in the baseline survey of the Gävle Household, Labour Market and Health Outcomes (GHOLDH) survey, which collected information on the employment status and psychological health (anxiety and depression) among persons aged 18-65 years. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were performed.

Results: The prevalence and risk of anxiety and depression were high among people who were out of work. In the multiple regression analysis, compared to employed people, those who were not employed had a risk of anxiety of 7.76 (5.97-9.75) and 4.67 (3.60-5.74) for depression.

Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety and depression was higher among those who were out of labour market as compared to those employed. Furthermore, people who were out of work had a higher risk of anxiety and depression. The odds were slightly higher for anxiety than for depression.