BMC Public Health 2008, 8:159 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/8/159 Earlier research gives strong evidence for associations between risk of unemployment and psychological symp- toms [38]. In our multivariate analyses there was no asso- ciation between risk of unemployment and psychological symptoms. However, most earlier studies have not con- trolled for confounders [38]. The lack of associations in our study could also depend on the correlations between risk of unemployment and the variable labour market positions. Conclusion The transition from an unstable labour market position to permanent employment seemed to be health-promoting, even after controlling for possible confounders and medi- ators as well as an indicator of health-related selection. Our results, therefore, suggest that there might be more complex underlying mechanisms that influence the well- being of those who had obtained employment. However, as there are few studies in the field there is a need for more longitudinal studies in order to further analyse the rela- tionship as well as possible explanations. The policy implication of our study is that transformation of unsta- ble labour market positions into permanent employment could contribute to better public health. Competing interests The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Authors' contributions IR conceived the paper topic, performed the data analyses and drafted the manuscript. MN participated in the revi- sion of the article. AH designed and coordinated the study and revised the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript. Additional material Additional file 1 Correlations between the variables labour market position, health-related selection, possible confounders and mediators among men (below the empty cells and italics) and women (above the empty cells). The data pro- vided represent correlations between the independent variables. Click here for file [http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/supplementary/1471- 2458-8-159-S1.doc] Additional file 2 The internal consistency for all indices included in the model measured by Cronbach's alpha (α). Cronbach's alphas represent the internal consist- ency of the indices included in the model. Click here for file [http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/supplementary/1471- 2458-8-159-S2.doc] Acknowledgements This study was financed by the Swedish Council for Social Research and the National Institute of Public Health in Sweden. References 1. Baum F: The new public health. An Australian perspective. 2nd (August 2003) edition. Melbourne , Oxford University Press; 2002. 2. Ågren G: Sweden's new public health policy. National public health objectives for Sweden. Stockholm, Sandviken , Swedish National Institute of Public Health; 2003. 3. 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