Unemployment and Early Cause-Specific Mortality: a Study Based on the Swedish Twin Registry

The association between unemployment & early cause-specific mortality was studied to determine whether the relationship was modified by other risk factors. 20,632 female & male twins in Sweden were followed from 1973-1986. Unemployment was associated with an increased risk of suicide & death from undetermined causes. Low education, personality characteristics, use of sleeping pills or tranquilizers, & serious or long-lasting illness tended to strengthen the association between unemployment & early mortality. (42 refs.)