title: The influence of re-employment on quality of life and self-rated health, a longitudinal study among unemployed persons in the Netherlands.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, PO Box 2040, Rotterdam, CA 30000, The Netherlands. b.carlier@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: Bouwine E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Carlier
authors.forename: Merel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schuring
authors.forename: Freek J B
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Lötters
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bakker
authors.forename: Natacha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Borgers
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Burdorf
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D018868:Insurance, Disability / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012943:Social Security / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014478:Unemployment / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult