The objective of this research is to assess whether stress associated with the transition to a new country combined with additional stress arising from unemployment affects not only principal immigrants but also other immigrant family members. I use the Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Australia (LSIA) to examine the effect of labour force status on the mental health of immigrants. The LSIA was a unique household panel survey that collected detailed information about immigrants and their families' health, income, educational attainment and many other subjects. The LSIA focused on the initial experience of immigrants collecting information at 6, 18 and 42 months after migration.
By using a rich longitudinal data set I am able to control for individual differences between immigrants and to examine whether changes in mental health are causing changes in labour force status rather than changes in labour force status causing changes in mental health. I find that causality runs from unemployment to mental health and that unemployment significantly adversely affects the mental health of immigrants. Other characteristics associated with poor mental health include, age, gender, Visa category, marital status and educational attainment.
I also examine the impact of the family in alleviating the stress of migration and unemployment. I find that the mental health of immigrant couples is positively correlated. I also find that the negative effects of immigrant unemployment are not alleviated by spouse employment.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of my presentation, participants will be able to: 1. Identify appropriate regression techniques for analysing immigrant panel data. 2. Discuss evidence for causation between immigrant unemployment and mental health. 3. Discuss new evidence about the mental health impact on immigrants of the labour force status of other family members
Keywords: Mental Health,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs provided the data set upon which my analysis is based
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.