MPH Thesis defense - Unnur Jónsdóttir

Unnur Jónsdóttir's defends her master's thesis in Public Health Sciences from the Faculty of Medicine.

''The effect of the 2008 recession on mental well being and employment status of people with and without history of mental health problems''

Examiner is Þórhildur Halldórssdóttir, post-doc, Center of Public Health Sciences, UI. Supervisor is Kristjana Einarsdóttir, associate professor, Faculty of Medicine, UI. Advisor is Edda Björk Þórðardóttir, post-doc, Faculty of Medicine, UI. Also on the thesis committee is Unnur Anna Valdimarsdóttir, professor, Faculty of Medicine, UI.

The defense is open to the public.

Abstract:

Objectives: This study investigates the effect of the 2008 recession on self assessed well being and employment status of people with and without mental health problems.

Methods: The study cohort included participants from the study of Health and Well-being of Icelanders, aged 18-69 years. Self assessed health was measured by short Warwick Edinburg Well-being Scale (SWEMWBS) and four items Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4).  Logistic regression was used to assess the effect of the 2008 recession on self assessed well being and employment status in 2009 and 2012, using 2007 as a reference group among people with and without mental health problems.

Results: People without mental health problems had increased risk of poorer well-being in both 2009 (AOR: 1.66, 95%CI:1.18,2.35) and in 2012 (AOR: 1.64 , 95%CI:1.20,2.26) compared with 2007 and higher perceived stress (AOR: 1.48, 95%CI: 1.07,2.03 in 2009 and 1.53, 95%CI:1.15,2.04 in 2012). No significant change was observed for people with mental health problems. Both groups of people with and without mental health problems had increased risk of unemployment in 2009 and 2012. When comparing these groups, the risk of unemployment was higher for people with mental health problems and increased from 2007 to 2012. 

Conclusion:  The people without mental health problem were affected by the 2008 recession where they showed significant poorer well-being and higher perceived stress in 2009 and 2012 compared to 2007. The gap in unemployment between people with and without mental health problems did increase after the 2008 recession.