Emotional Impact of Unemployment
Unemployment can have a significant emotional toll on young adults. It often leads to feelings of anxiety, frustration, and sadness. These emotions can sometimes grow into more serious mental health conditions, such as depression. Studies show that long-term unemployment can damage a person's self-esteem and public image, leading them to feel like failures.
In response to these feelings, many young adults turn to substances like marijuana, tobacco, or alcohol as a form of self-medication. This is particularly troubling because substance use may temporarily dull negative emotions but often worsens them over time.
Unemployment also strips young adults of daily routines, purpose, and social connection—all of which are vital for mental well-being. Without structure and social interactions from a workplace, many experience loneliness and boredom, which can increase the risk of substance use.
According to Imtiaz et al. (2020), unemployed youth are more likely to use drugs than their employed peers, showing a strong link between emotional hardship and substance use.