Do social programmes contribute to mental well-being? The long-term impactof unemployment on depression in the United States

Background Important evidence about the mental health effects of unemployme nt exist; however, little is known about the possible protective effects of various social interventions or about their long-term impact. This study e xamines the longterm consequences that different types of social programmes , i.e, entitlement and means-tested benefits, might have as regards amelior ating a negative mental health impact of unemployment among women and men. Methods Multiple regression models were used to analyse panel data collecte d in the National Survey of Families and Households in 1987 and 1992. In al l 8029 individuals interviewed in both 1987 and 1992 were included in the a nalysis. A depression index was created from the responses to 15 items from the Center for Epidemiological Studies' Depression Scale-D (CES-D) which w ere included in the survey. Results The receipt of government entitlement benefits by unemployed women is associated with a reduction of depression symptoms in the long term. Men and women not working and receiving means-tested or welfare benefits are m ore likely to report depression in both the short and long term. Conclusions The study underscores the need for monitoring the impact of wel fare reform on mental health.