Objectives. This study investigated the association between unemployment and depressive symptoms and major depression disorder worldwide using a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods. Search time was limited to all articles published in English until December 2020. In the association between unemployment and depression, first, the results of qualified studies were extracted and, then, the results of each study were pooled with each other using the random effects method. Results. The prevalence of depression in the unemployed is 21%, 95% confidence interval (CI) [18, 24%]. This prevalence for depression symptoms is 24%, 95% CI [20, 28%] and for major depressive disorder is 16%, 95% CI [9–24%]. The association between unemployment and depressive symptoms was odds ratio (OR) 2.06, 95% CI [1.85, 2.30] and the association for major depressive disorder was OR 1.88, 95% CI [1.57, 2.25]. The association between unemployment and depression in men was OR 2.27, 95% CI [1.76, 2.93] and in women was OR 1.62, 95% CI [1.40, 1.87]. Conclusions. What is clear from the present study is that unemployment can lead to a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms and major depressive disorder, thereby undermining the mental health of the unemployed.

目标。本研究使用系统回顾和荟萃分析调查了全世界失业与抑郁症状和重度抑郁症之间的关联。方法。检索时间仅限于2020年12月之前发表的所有英文文章。在失业与抑郁症的关联中，首先提取符合条件的研究结果，然后使用随机效应方法将各研究结果相互汇总. 结果. 失业者的抑郁症患病率为 21%，95% 置信区间 (CI) [18, 24%]。抑郁症状的患病率为 24%，95% CI [20, 28%]，重度抑郁症的患病率为 16%，95% CI [9–24%]。失业与抑郁症状之间的关联是比值比 ( OR ) 2.06，95% CI [1.85，2.30]，与重度抑郁症的关联是OR 1.88，95% CI [1.57，2.25]。男性失业与抑郁之间的关联为OR 2.27，95% CI [1.76，2.93]，女性为OR 1.62，95% CI [1.40，1.87]。结论. 从目前的研究中可以清楚地看出，失业会导致抑郁症状和重度抑郁症的患病率更高，从而损害失业者的心理健康。