Ever wondered why those who don’t work have poorer mental health?
“This article was written by our Founder, Dr Kylie Henderson.”
The reason lies in the fact that employment significantly bolsters mental wellbeing by offering structure and purpose to one’s daily life. These elements have been long established by researcher Marie Jahoda, who outlined five crucial factors that work provides that gives us this boost. They include:
- Time structure in daily life
- Social contact and shared experiences
- Sense of purpose
- Personal status and identity
- Regular activity
Researchers, Back2Work have demonstrated that good employment improves overall mental wellbeing and relationships. It’s more than just a means to earn money; it facilitates overall wellbeing and helps in accomplishing broader life goals.
There are several practical strategies that simulate the Five Crucial Mental Health Employment Factors and thus if applied appropriately, with good clinical formulation and intervention can supply the mental health benefits of work. These include:
Time Structure
- Create a consistent daily schedule
- Set regular wake-up and bedtime hours
- Plan meals at fixed times
- Schedule activities in specific time blocks
- Use a planner or digital calendar
Social Contact and Shared Experiences
- Join community groups or clubs
- Volunteer regularly
- Participate in online forums or groups
- Attend local events or group workshops
- Schedule regular catch-ups with friends/family
Sense of Purpose
- Align your daily activities and work with your values
- Participate in community projects
- Contribute to online collaborative projects
- Join study groups
- Engage in group volunteering
Personal Status and Identity
- Develop new skills through courses
- Start a hobby or personal project
- Create and maintain a blog or portfolio
- Work to understand who you are and what your values are
- Share expertise through teaching or mentoring or community groups
Regular Activity
- Establish exercise routines and behavioural activation
- Take up gardening or DIY projects
- Learn a new craft or skill
- Track your activity through your phone or other device
Work and mental health have a complex bidirectional relationship – not working can lead to health problems, while poor health can cause unemployment. Understanding these dynamics can assist clinicians and employment services to develop more comprehensive treatment and action plans. For psychologists we need to assess both the direct health and mental health condition and the broader psychosocial challenges that unemployment presents. Unemployment is often maintaining poorer mental health. This holistic approach enables more effective results from psychological intervention.
Nevertheless, I am always amazed by the variety of responses I receive from the question – Why do you think more of the unemployed population experience poorer mental health?
– Dr Kylie Henderson, Clinical Psychologist