'Temp contracts can cause depression'

(ANSA) - Rome, January 27 - Temp contracts and job insecurity are bad for mental health, according to a Milan University study ANSA previewed on Tuesday.
    Temporary work contracts and lack of job security place workers at increased risk of depression and use of psychoactive drugs, according to the study of 2.7 million employees in the northern Lombardy region from 2007-2011.
    Researchers crossed labor ministry data with national health service data and found a direct link between temporary employment and the prescription of antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antianxiety medication. A temp worker has a 0.6% higher probability of taking such medication, meaning that he or she is experiencing mental health problems.
    The study concluded that a 10% increase in workers with temp contracts would cause the number of people suffering from depression to increase 1% in the 18-34 age group, 2.3% in the 35-49 bracket, and 0.8% among people 50 and older.