Unemployment as a source of mental distress to individuals and their family : unemployed parents perceptions during the economic recession

© The Author(s) 2016Background: Due to the economic recession, several people in Europe became unemployed. This situation may risk their mental health. Aim: This study explored parents’ perceptions about their unemployment’s effects in daily life during the recession. Methods: A total of 59 unemployed parents (40.7% fathers and 59.3% mothers), ageing 44.4 years (±6.2), answer a question on how the unemployment affected their family lives. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. Results: The findings suggest that unemployment is a source of adult and youth mental distress and of economic hardship and changes in family relations. Conclusion: Support to unemployed individuals and their families could benefit from these insights when granting the needed financial and socioemotional assistance.The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Frasquilho D receives a grant from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), reference SFRH/BD/80846/2011.