Abstract
Introduction: The negative effects of unemployment are significant, and
the potential for increased morbidity and mortality is a major public health
challenge. Negative effects may be partially attributable to health behavior
change and loss of social ties. Exercise has positive physical and mental
health benefits and could help buffer such negative effects. This study
examines whether time in social and solitary exercise varies by
unemployment and out of the labor force (OOLF) status because exercise,
especially social exercise, provides health benefits.
Methods: Gender-stratified ordinary least squares models are estimated
using data from the nationally representative 2003-2016 American Time
Use Surveys to test how own and partner employment status are
associated with total time in exercise, exercise alone, with children, with a
partner, and with others.
Results: Unemployed and OOLF men spend significantly more time in
exercise alone (3-9 minutes, p<.05) and with others (about 13 minutes,
p<.001) compared to employed men. Unemployed women spend
significantly more time in exercise with others (6 minutes, p<.05), and
OOLF women in all types of social exercise (1-9 minutes, p<.05), compared
to employed women.
Conclusions: Unemployed and OOLF individuals engage in more social
exercise, which could be leveraged to help buffer loss of social ties and
improve health. Exercise-related interventions may help reduce negative
health consequences of unemployment.
Keywords: physical activity, employment, American Time Use Survey
Social and Solitary Exercise among the Unemployed and Out of the Labor
Force in the United States: Estimates by Gender and Partnership Status