Quality of life among unemployed and employed people in northern Sweden. Are there any differences?

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Hultman, Barbro^; | Hemlin, Sven | Olof Hörnquist, Jan

Affiliations: Mid-Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden | The Nordic School of Public Health, Göteborg, Sweden | Centre for Research Ethics, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Sweden | Department for Health Sciences, University of Örebro, S-701 82 Örebro, Sweden

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Barbro Hultman, Mid-Sweden University, 831 25 Östersund, Sweden. Tel.: +46 63 165648; Fax: +46 63 165626; E-mail: Barbro.Hultman@mh.se

Abstract: This study analysed self-assessed quality of life (QoL), using a QoL questionnaire (Hörnquist's QLcs) covering the life spheres, somatic health, mental well-being, cognitive ability, social and family life, activity, financial situation, meaning in life and a global score "entire life", in 487 unemployed subjects and 2917 employed subjects aged 25–64, in a population-based cross-sectional study in northern Sweden. In line with previous findings, results showed that unemployed people exhibited poorer QoL. Unemployed women scored higher in existential life domains than unemployed men did. Unemployed men were worst off in terms of general life situation. Employed respondents benefited in QoL by a university/college education, while unemployed respondents with a university/college education did not. Close social relations and money reserve were associated with higher QoL generally. It was concluded that further research is needed to differentiate various aspects of QoL and unemployment, and to compare with other samples.

Journal: Work, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 47-56, 2006