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International Journal of Public Health

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01.08.2010 | Original article

Unemployment and its association with health-relevant actions: investigating the role of time perspective with German census data

verfasst von: Reinhard Schunck, Benedikt G. Rogge

Erschienen in: International Journal of Public Health | Ausgabe 4/2010

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Abstract

Objective

In this study, we seek to explain how unemployment is related to an increase in health-damaging actions. A short time perspective, that is an orientation towards the present rather than the future, is hypothesised to account for this effect. The concept of time perspective is located within an action theoretical framework and the hypothesis is tested empirically.

Methods

We investigated the unemployed people’s smoking behaviour and body-mass index (BMI) using German microcensus data from 2003. Data from 77,766 respondents (88.60% employed and 11.40% unemployed) were analysed. Multivariate regression analysis was applied to test our hypotheses.

Results

Unemployment is associated with a 46% higher probability to smoke and with a 0.37 unit increase in BMI compared to employment. The likelihood of smoking steadily increases with the duration of unemployment, while only unemployment spells of 4 years and longer are significantly related to BMI. Yet, the smoking probability of those unemployed who have a long time perspective is 74% lower and their BMI is 1.81 lower than those who do not have a long time perspective.

Conclusion

Unemployment is negatively associated with health-relevant actions. This effect varies according to persons’ time perspectives. Our approach delivers an innovative view on why unemployed individuals exercise more health-damaging actions than the employed.

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Titel: Unemployment and its association with health-relevant actions: investigating the role of time perspective with German census data
verfasst von: Reinhard Schunck
Benedikt G. Rogge
Publikationsdatum: 01.08.2010
Verlag: SP Birkhäuser Verlag Basel
Erschienen in: International Journal of Public Health / Ausgabe 4/2010
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Elektronische ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-009-0075-1

Live-Webinar: Aktuelle Leitlinien bei Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen

Springer Medizin

Unemployment and its association with health-relevant actions: investigating the role of time perspective with German census data

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Live-Webinar: Aktuelle Leitlinien bei Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen

Springer Medizin

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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