Job Insecurity Affects Health

No surprise. Any kind of chronic stress is bad for our physical health and psychologial well-being.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120905110908.htm

ScienceDaily (Sep. 4, 2012) — Workers who perceive their jobs aren't secure are more likely to rate themselves in poor health and have increased symptoms of anxiety and depression, reports the September Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).

Nearly 18 percent of workers perceived their job was insecure -- they felt it was at least "fairly likely" that they would lose their job or be laid off within the next year. Workers with job insecurity rated their health lower than workers who perceived their jobs as more secure -- they were nearly three times more likely to rate their health as fair to poor.

Workers with job insecurity were nearly four times more likely to report symptoms of anxiety attacks, and close to seven times more likely to have symptoms suggesting minor or major depression. These effects were significant after adjustment for other characteristics.

The study adds to previous research linking job insecurity to poorer health. This could have a major impact on population health in the wake of the recent economic recession -- especially with the "jobless recovery" and continued high unemployment rates.