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The National Study of Work-search and Wellbeing

About this study

The National Study of Work-search and Wellbeing is commissioned by the Health, Work and Wellbeing Directorate at the Department for Work and Pensions.

Until now, very little research has looked at the wellbeing of people who become unemployed. The aim of this study is to gain an insight into the relationship between wellbeing and labour market outcomes among people who start a claim for Jobseekers Allowance, to ensure that the right support is provided to people at each stage of their search for work.

The transition into unemployment is known to be stressful, particularly when accompanied by a sudden drop in income or when preceded by longer term job insecurity. It could be that the pressures and strains of searching for work may also cause people anxiety, including aspects of the benefit claims process.

Timeline

Potential Policy Impact

The results of this study will inform policy on supporting unemployed people with different levels of wellbeing to access services, seek jobs and return to work.

This study seeks to find out what aspects of people's lives and experiences affect the levels of wellbeing and of work-search success. Negative triggers, and their timing, should inform the design of both general job seeking services (such as Jobseekers Allowance) and services which include both mental health and job seeking components (such as the Employment Support Allowance or Incapacity Benefit and the Condition Management Programme).

Methods

The respondents for this study are people of working age and who have recently claimed Jobseekers Allowance. The study is made up of three parts:

1. an initial 20-30 minute telephone interview about work history and general wellbeing.

2. a shorter follow-up telephone interview three months later to assess any change in employment status and wellbeing.

3. qualitative interviews with 30 respondents to provide rich description of individual experiences of unemployment, job seeking and wellbeing

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