title: Self-reported unemployment status and recession: An analysis on the Italian population with and without mental health problems.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  During economic recession people with mental health problems have higher risk of losing their job. This paper analyses the issue by considering the Italian rates of unemployment amongst individuals with and without mental health problems in 2005 and 2013, that is prior and during the economic crisis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used data from the National surveys on "Health conditions and use of health services" carried out by the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) for the years 2005 and 2013. The surveys collected information on the health status and socioeconomic conditions of the Italian population. Self-reported unemployment status was analysed amongst individuals with and without reported mental health problems. In addition, descriptive statistics were performed in order to detect possible differences in the risk of unemployment within different regional contexts characterised by different socio-economic conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The recession determined increased disparities in unemployment rates between people with and without mental health problems. Regardless to the presence of mental health problems, young people were more likely to be unemployed. Among people who reported mental health problems, males were more likely to be unemployed than females. People with low education level were more likely to be unemployed, particularly during the recession and in presence of mental health problems. Changes in unemployment rates due to the crisis showed different patterns across different regions of the Country.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These analyses confirm that in periods of economic crisis people with mental health problems are at risk of experiencing exclusion from labour market. In addition, the impact is even worse within the group with low education and younger age. These findings emphasise the importance of specific interventions aimed at promoting labour market participation and reintegration for people with mental health problems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health & Drug Abuse, AUSL Modena, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Starace
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health & Drug Abuse, AUSL Modena, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mungai
authors.affiliation: Department of Economics University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy, Marco Biagi Foundation.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sarti
authors.affiliation: Department of Economics University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy, Marco Biagi Foundation.
authors.forename: Tindara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Addabbo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D057172:Economic Recession / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014478:Unemployment / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult