Why unemployment can feel worse when there is less of it around

By Peter Howley, Professor of Economics and Behavioural Science, University of Leeds

Unemployment levels will be an important test of the economic impact of COVID-19. Some sectors have seen employees furloughed en masse, and the longer-term effect on businesses could mean that many lose their jobs permanently.

Aside from causing financial difficulties, unemployment can take its toll emotionally and psychologically. Research my colleague and I conducted suggests that the negative effect on mental wellbeing varies depending on where you live.

You might expect this…

Read complete article

~	Pet-owners: watch out for foxtail seed pods that can harm your dog or cat this summer

~	Why US offshore wind power is struggling – the good, the bad and the opportunity

~	Science journalism in South Africa: social media is helping connect with new readers

~	African sci-fi: body hopping, artificial wombs and angry ghosts in a future Botswana

~	Digging into the colonial roots of gardening

~	Femicide: many countries around the world are making the killing of women a specific crime – here’s why it’s needed

~	More than a third of urban Chinese live in sinking cities – here’s what they can do

~	Swifts delayed by cold and wet springs face mounting problems as the climate changes

~	New sickle cell disease drug approved for use in England – here’s how voxelotor works

~	Why evolution often favours small animals and other organisms