People who have recently become unemployed are four times more likely to claim to have depression than the general population, a new survey suggests.
The Pfizer Health Index published today details the findings of a market research survey of the health and wellbeing of the Irish population.
This year the study also examined the impact of the recession on people’s lives, with particular focus on those who recently became unemployed.
The authors said there was “significant evidence” that the recently unemployed have cut back their spending on medication. Some 29 per cent of the unemployed sample and 17 per cent of the wider sample are buying less over the counter medication while 14 per cent of people have cut down on prescription medicines, rising to 20 per cent among unemployed people.
According to the figures, some 24 per cent of people are more reluctant to visit a health care professional, rising to 29 per cent in those unemployed.
One in 10 people were more reluctant to bring a child to a doctor, rising to 13 per cent in those unemployed.
The authors said, however, that on a positive note “unemployment seems to provide an opportunity to take more exercise and become healthier, with 45 per cent of the unemployed sample stating they plan to become more active”.
They also intend to become less stressed, give up smoking and drink less, the authors said.
They said there was evidence the recession is “leading to anxiety over money, is bad for self-esteem and is leading to relationship tension”.
It said the greatest impact of the recession was apparent among those between the ages of 25 and 50, who are parents and who live in urban areas.
The Pfizer Health Index is a Behaviour and Attitudes National Barometer Survey, which samples 1,040 adults aged 16 and over. The authors said it was a syndicated survey of the adult population and quota controlled to reflect the latest census of population in terms of sex, age, social class, region and area of residence.
Questions include asked include serious conditions experienced and their effect on sufferers, general perceptions of personal health, attitudes to health issues, personal short-term health priorities and intentions, the relative prioritisation of health and wellbeing, and new sections on GPs and interaction with medical services.
Pfizer said a "booster" of 122 recently unemployed people was added to the research this year.