Long Term Unemployment and Suicidal Ideation among Educated Adults: The Moderating Role of Gender

Abstract

Prolonged unemployment is a chronic socioeconomic stressor that significantly heightens vulnerability to suicidal ideation, particularly among highly educated adults whose career trajectories and identity expectations remain unmet. This study examined the association between long term unemployment and suicidal ideation among adults aged 27 to 40 years with at least a bachelor’s degree. Gender was examined as a moderating factor, and depressive symptoms were tested as a mediator within a cross sectional correlational design. A community sample of 186 unemployed participants completed validated psychological scales, including the Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire 9, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, InCharge Financial Distress Scale, and Brief Resilience Scale. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that unemployment duration significantly predicted higher suicidal ideation. Male participants reported notably higher levels of suicidal ideation, and gender moderated the duration–ideation association, with the effect stronger among men. Depressive symptoms partially mediated this relationship, accounting for approximately forty one percent of the total effect. These findings highlight the need for gender responsive mental health screening, targeted psychosocial support, and employment reintegration strategies to mitigate suicide risk among long term unemployed educated adults.