Depression and Leaving Employment Among Older Adult Americans

Numerous cross-sectional analyses have shown that individuals with mental illness are less likely to be employed, and many psychological studies have demonstrated that the loss of employment is a risk factor for developing depression. It remains less clear, however, whether depression affects job retention among the employed. The author's study suggests that depression takes a higher toll among older women in the workforce. Given the central role of employer-sponsored health insurance in our health care system, leaving employment because of depression may worsen access to care for depressed individuals.