HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT - REVIEW FROM A GENDER PERSPECTIVE

Current research is classified into different theoretical approaches, mainly economic deprivation theories, stress-related theories, gender theories and different psychological and sociological theories. The co rrelations between unemployment and ill-health are explained as a resu lt of both selection and exposure. The societal consequences of youth unemployment have been studied in aggregate studies. The familial cons equences is a neglected area, but there is evidence of increased illne ss as well as battering of wives and children. Almost all research has been focused on the individual and mainly on the psychological conseq uences. Consistent relationships are found between unemployment and mi nor psychological disorders. Few studies have included somatic health but the results indicate increased physiological illness, especially a mong unemployed girls. Increased hearth care consumption has been docu mented. There are evidence that unemployment is a risk indicator for b oth increasing alcohol consumption, particularly in young men. Unemplo yment is also associated with increased tobacco consumption, increased use of illicit drugs as well as deteriorated health behaviour. The mo rtality rate is significantly higher among unemployed young men and wo men, especially in suicides and accidents. Social consequences include increased risk of alienation, lack of financial resources, criminalit y and future exclusion from the labour market. As mediating factors so cial support, high employment rate, negative attitudes towards work an d high possibility of control have been documented to have a protectiv e effect on health. Research should now be directed towards more quali tative methods, based on theoretical models, in order to search for de eper mechanisms, mediating factors and explanatory theories of the une venly distributed hearth in society, in which unemployment has been pr oved to be one important factor.