Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats
Published on: February 22, 2018
Effects of (un)employment on young couples' health and life satisfaction
Marja-Lena Haid1, Inge Seiffge-Krenke
1Department of Developmental Psychology, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany. mlhaid@uni-mainz.de
Abstract:
This study investigated effects of employed and unemployed job status on health outcomes with questionnaires in 50 young couples. Analysis of variance revealed higher pessimism, higher stress levels, and lower life satisfaction in couples in which one partner was unemployed. These couples also exhibited more health risk behaviours compared to couples in which both partners were working. The dyadic analysis of data, using an actor-partner interdependence model, demonstrated strong actor and partner effects for male partner's job status. Being unemployed was significantly associated not only with male partner's life satisfaction but also with the life satisfaction of his female partner. In addition, male partner's pessimism was identified as a significant variable which mediates between male partner's job status and female partner's life satisfaction. The study highlights the relevance of the accomplishment of tasks in the domains of work and partnership during young adulthood and it emphasises the gender specific importance.
Related Concept Videos
Social Relationships and Well-Being
Close Relationships and Culture
Applications of Life Tables
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Ending Relationships
Social Exchange Theory
