[Health and quality of life among long-term unemployed]. / Helse og livskvalitet blant langtidsledige.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have shown an association between unemployment and poor health. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional survey from 1993-94 using structured interviews and questionnaires describes health and quality of life among 148 long-term unemployed in Lillesand, Norway. RESULTS: Compared with the general population, somatoform conditions and anxiety symptoms were twice as common among the unemployed, and depression three times as common. There was a higher frequency of depression among unemployed men than among unemployed women. The unemployed had a lower quality of life score than the general population; the difference was more than twice as large among men as among women. Unemployed aged 30-39 reported the strongest symptoms of anxiety and depression. INTERPRETATION: The reason why unemployed men are more often stricken by depression and report lower quality of life than women, may be that men experience the job-loss more existentially threatening than do women.

Routine health check-ups of unemployed in Norway.

In 1994 all the 273 long-term unemployed in the municipality Lillesand, Norway were invited to participate in a proactive health care program. 229 were included in the program, consisting of a medical examination by a general practitioner, councelling, personal support and referrals. The job-loss aroused lots of negative emotions, mostly defensive feelings and resignations, which are likely to reduce self-esteem and coping ability. The prevalence of somatoform symptoms and anxiety was twice as high as in the normal population, and for depression the prevalence was three times higher. 24% of the unemployed were referred to further examination. Invitation to a health examination may be the ticket of entry for revealing some of the concealed morbidity among long-term unemployed. Health check-ups of unemployed will probably be very cost-effective

[Use of new antidepressive agents in general practice]. / Bruk av nye antidepressiver i allmennpraksis.

There is much discussion about the use of the new antidepressant drugs. Some advocate a more liberal use while others criticize overprescribing. Our study examines the indication, dosage and length of treatment in five family practices. Records of 208 patients prescribed one of three new antidepressants in 1995 were reviewed. 90% had depression or anxiety while 10% received medication for pain or for other symptoms. Dosage and median length of treatment were in accordance with recommended guidelines. However, a number of patients discontinue their medication within a month of start of treatment. The study did not examine the reason for this, but side effects or lack of effect are possible explanations. 36 patients were treated for a year or longer and we raise the question whether abstinence-like symptoms or the physicians prescribing practice can explain this finding. The article also examines the increased sale of the new antidepressants in Norway and in Aust-Agder county specifically, the county in Norway with the largest per capita sale of these drugs.

[Experiences of the long-term unemployed with health care services. A survey from Lillesand]. / Langtidslediges erfaringer med hjelpeapparatet. En undersøkelse fra Lillesand.

This study from 1993-94 describes how a selected population of 229 long-term unemployed who were fit for work used the services provided by public sources of help and how they evaluated these services. The results showed that the longterm unemployed who were seeking work, and were fit for work, did not seek medical attention any more often than is customary among the general population. More of the unemployed saw family and friends as their main source of support rather than the health and social services. The findings may indicate that the main reason for increased use of services among the unemployed is not the unemployment it self but the need to clarify welfare rights.

[Emotional response to long-term unemployment. A study in Lillesand]. / Langtiduslediges opplevelse av arbeidsledighet. En undersøkelse fra Lillesand

Unemployment threatens the economic welfare of the family. It can affect self-respect and social status and remove the supportive network of the workplace. This cross-sectional survey from 1993-94 in a Norwegian community with 8,500 inhabitants describes emotional reactions to loss of job and the effects of unemployment on the lives of 148 long-term unemployed in Lillesand. A large majority were not mentally prepared for losing their job. Most reacted with defensive feelings, and a quarter experienced negative reactions from their social circle to their losing their job. Even if new extra leisure time was used for more social contact with friends and family, and more exercise and outdoor activity, satisfaction with life was reduced by being out of work. Women and the older unemployed seemed to adapt better to the new situation. The coping mechanisms of young men seemed much more limited.