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Coping
with Unemployment
By
Robert J. Fetsch
Human
Development & Family Studies
Colorado
State University
July
17, 2006 |
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In recent years a growing number of Americans have experienced
job loss due to recessions, downsizing, and business restructuring
bent on financial survival. Job loss and financial hardship
rank among the more severe stressors that people encounter.
Research since the 1930s reveals that unemployment has major
effects on individuals' and families' emotional and physical
health. Researchers have found strong relationships between
unemployment rates and increased mental hospital admissions,
suicide, homicide, total mortality, and cardiovascular-renal
disease mortality (Brenner, 1973, 1976, 1977). Unemployment
also contributes to greater depression and lower self-esteem
(Waters & Moore, 2001) and to family instability, decreased
family relations, and family violence (Furstenberg, 1974; Hanisch,
1999; Voydanoff, 1978).
Who copes well with unemployment? From a mental health and well-being
viewpoint, unemployment is similar to other transitions that
people experience, like divorce, death of a child, loss of the
family farm, or acquiring a disability. All of these transitions
often lead to high levels of stress both for the individuals
involved and for their families and communities.
Lessons emerge from those who cope well with unemployment.
Researchers have found that most adults at first experience
high levels of stress or depression. Those who create calming
spaces in their lives to problem solve cope well. They ask
themselves: "When I was in a similar tough transition before,
what did I do well?" I looked in the paper for jobs that might
match my talents, skills, and experience. I thought about
new directions I might explore. I drew upon our savings and
purchased only what was most important. I explained to our
children: "We're a strong family. We're in a tough spot for
a while, but together we'll make it through this too." We
held a family meeting. We brainstormed ways all of us could
save money. We paid the most important bills. We asked others
for more time to pay. We made lists of things we could do
without to help our family get by on less. I updated my resume.
As a couple we communicated openly and pulled together as
a team to keep up my confidence, especially when I started
to feel depressed. Every day I spent at least two hours actively
pursuing new jobs. Recalling a successful transition from
one's past often gives hope and often provides ideas how to
cope with the current crisis.
One of the most important characteristics of resilient families
who cope well with unemployment is the meaning they attach to
the unemployment. When individuals and families see unemployment
as manageable, it is less stressful for them (Angell, 1936;
Cavan, 1959; Leana, Feldman, & Tan, 1998; Powell & Driscoll,
1973). The more positive the meaning, the better people adapt
to the change.
One woman who was laid off after 20 years of working for a
company said: "At first I was mad and sad and scared. But
after awhile I realized that the day I got laid off was the
best day of my life! Why? Because now I was free to do what
I always wanted to do--start a craft store. For three years
now I've been having so much more fun than I had in my old
job. I needed the push of a layoff to get started."
Her positive attitude and her new ideas led to a successful
job transition. Additional suggestions for maintaining mental
health during unemployment are listed below.
Suggestions for Maintaining Mental Health During Employment
Transitions
By Robert J. Fetsch,
Extension Specialist,
Human Development & Family Studies
Colorado State University
- Allow yourself to grieve, feel anger, be depressed or
anxious, and learn from your emotions (Cavanaugh, 1994;
Quick, Fetsch, & Rupured, 2002).
- Explain to young children in ways that they can understand
that Mom or Dad is not going to work at the same place anymore.
Remember that young children are egocentric, so they often
feel responsible if they do not understand the basis for
a problem (Levine, 1990). Tell them directly it is not their
fault that you are unemployed (Voydanoff, 1983).
- Tell them: "We're a strong family. We can bounce back
from this setback." Show them with your positive attitude
and actions what resilient adults do to take good care of
themselves and their families (Silliman, 2000).
- Especially with young children, maintain consistent daily
and weekly family routines to provide structure and stability.
If you regularly go hiking on Saturday, strive to continue
the routine (Unemployment-A Guide, 2002).
- Take steps that promote your and your family's adaptability
and cohesion. As a couple, foster an egalitarian relationship
based on love and respect (Jones, 1990).
- Draw upon your savings, home ownership, and budget. Consider
moving to less costly living accommodations or to moving
in with friends or relatives.
- Seek unemployment insurance. Unemployment benefits can
provide a crucial buffer for households after job loss (Sales,
1995).
- Explore options for adolescents and adult family members
to work and supplement family income (Sales, 1995; Voydanoff,
1983).
- Seek emotional support from friends, relatives, and neighbors,
which can mediate the negative effects of unemployment on
individual mental and physical health (Cobb & Kasl, 1977;
Gore, 1977, 1978; Kasl & Cobb, 1979; Voydanoff, 1983; Werner,
1990).
- Experiment with viewing unemployment as a challenge or
growth experience (Leana, Feldman, & Tan, 1998; Voydanoff,
1983).
- Assess your personal strengths, skills, values, life themes
and purpose. New directions will emerge (Coping with Unemployment,
2002).
- Seek counseling for yourself and your family, especially
when signs of depression and suicidal thinking emerge.
- Keep flexible in your parenting style. Your children still
need your nurturance (Dew, Penkower, & Bromet, 1991).
- Problem solve and communicate, especially in regular family
meetings (Fetsch & Jacobson, 2001). Solution oriented coping
moderates depression and increases self-esteem (Waters &
Moore, 2001).
- Use some of your new free time to read more about those
who cope well with unemployment (Amundson & Borgen, 1987;
Bridges, 1980; Fetsch, 2002; Hanisch, 1999; Job Loss Stages,
2002; Quick, Fetsch, & Rupured, 2002; Youngblood, 2002).
References
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(1987). Coping with unemployment: What helps and what hinders.
Journal of Employment Counseling, 24 , 97-106.
Angell, R. C. (1936). The family
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Brenner, M. H. (1973). Mental
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Brenner, M. H. (1977). Personal stability
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Bridges, W. (1980). Transitions:
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Cavan, R. S. (1959). Unemployment--crisis
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