"EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF JOB LOSS AS A FUNCTION OF GRIEF DEPRESSION, OP" by Jessica Karrie Penley Isenor

Date of Award

2011

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Education

Program

Education

Supervisor

Dr. Alan Leschied

Abstract

This study explored the impact of job loss within a framework of bereavement grief that links the negative effects of unemployment on both an individual’s physiological and psychological well-being. 519 participants who experienced involuntary job loss were examined through a series of demographic questions, a question on work centrality, and survey responses on scales of grief, depression, optimism, hope and self-efficacy.

The preliminary results suggest that at least 6.94% of the participant sample experienced a grief-type reaction immediately after their job loss while depression symptoms were more prevalent across the entire sample. Women appeared to have a greater grief reaction then men upon initial job loss. Work centrality scores showed a significant relationship with grief scores but not depression scores.

Results also indicate that the positive psychology factors of optimism, hope and self-efficacy may play a protective function from experiencing a grief- or depression-like reaction after job loss.

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