Health effects of employment: a systematic review of prospective studies
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this review was to systematically summarise the literature on the health effects of employment. METHODS: A search for prospective studies investigating the effect of employment on health was executed in several electronic databases, and references of selected publications were checked. Subsequently, the methodological quality of each study was assessed by predefined criteria. To draw conclusions about the health effect of employment, a best evidence synthesis was used, and if possible, data were pooled. RESULTS: 33 prospective studies were included, of which 23 were of high quality. Strong evidence was found for a protective effect of employment on depression and general mental health. Pooled effect sizes showed favourable effects on depression (OR=0.52; 95% CI 0.33 to 0.83) and psychological distress (OR=0.79; 95% CI 0.72 to 0.86). Insufficient evidence was found for general health, physical health and mortality due to lack of studies or inconsistent findings. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review indicates that employment is beneficial for health, particularly for depression and general mental health. There is a need for more research on the effects of employment on specific physical health effects and mortality to fill the knowledge gaps.
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A review study indicated the importance of employment for mental health in particular.
“A review study indicated the importance of employment for mental health in particular [24]”
Given the average control event rate of 28%, 19 people had to participate in the intervention to prevent one depressive episode compared to people in the control condition.
“Given the average control event rate of 28%, 19 people had to participate in the intervention to prevent one depressive episode compared to people in the control condition.”
From Time for united action on depression: a Lancet–World Psychiatric Association Commission (2022) · cites this paper as [412]
A recent meta-analysis of RCTs reported an incidence risk ratio of 0·81 one year after preventive psychological intervention.
“The analysis reported an incidence risk ratio of 0·81 one year after the preventive intervention.”
From Time for united action on depression: a Lancet–World Psychiatric Association Commission (2022) · cites this paper as [412]
Given the average control event rate of 25%, 14 individuals had to participate in the intervention to prevent one additional episode of depressive disorder compared with the control group outcome.
“Given the average control event rate of 25%, 14 individuals had to participate in the intervention to prevent one additional episode of depressive disorder compared with the control group outcome.”
From Time for united action on depression: a Lancet–World Psychiatric Association Commission (2022) · cites this paper as [412]
Subgroup results from a meta-analysis of psychological intervention trials indicate an incidence risk reduction of 0·71 (95% CI: 0·51-0·99) among high-risk children and adolescents without depression at baseline one year after the intervention.
“Subgroup results from a metaanalysis 412 of psychological intervention trials indicate an incidence risk reduction of 0·71 (95% CI: 0·51-0·99) among high-risk children and adolescents without depression at baseline one year after the intervention.”
From Time for united action on depression: a Lancet–World Psychiatric Association Commission (2022) · cites this paper as [412]
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“A review study indicated the importance of employment for mental health in particular [24].”
Background
- Authors
- van der Noordt, M., IJzelenberg, H., Droomers, M., & Proper, K. I.
- Affiliations
- Amsterdam Public Health (NL)
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam (NL)
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Proper, Karin I
- Venue
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine
- Publisher
- BMJ
- Published
- 2014-02-20
- Volume
- 71
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 730-736
- ISSN
- 0007-1072 (ISSN-L)
- 1351-0711
- 1470-7926
- OpenAlex
- W1980444631
- Cited by
- 539
- References
- 54
- Citations by year
- 2026: 39 · 2025: 65 · 2024: 67 · 2023: 62 · 2022: 77 · 2021: 49 · 2020: 52 · 2019: 34 · 2018: 33 · 2017: 25 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 1
- FWCI
- 3.44
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Amsterdam UMC (VU Amsterdam) - Institutional Repository (publishedVersion)
- VU Research Portal (publishedVersion)
- Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
- HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
- Rivm Repository (Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Employment and Welfare Studies
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Workplace Health and Well-being
- Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
- Keywords
- employment, health effects of work, depression, mental health, psychological distress, physical health, mortality
- MeSH terms
- Employment, Health Status, Humans, Mental Health, Prospective Studies, Stress, Psychological
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