Complicated Grief Following Job Loss: Risk Factors for Its Development and Maintenance

Overview

Journal Scand J Psychol

Specialty Psychology

Date 2020 Jun 23

PMID 32567696

Citations 8

Authors

Janske H W van Eersel

Toon W Taris

Paul A Boelen

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Increasing evidence shows that job loss can lead to symptoms of complicated grief (CG). However, little is known about which factors relate to the development and maintenance of CG symptoms following job loss. This study aimed to examine risk factors for the development and maintenance of job loss-related CG symptoms. For this study 485 Dutch workers who had lost their job were recruited (239 men and 246 women), with an average age of 50.2 years. A subsample of 128 participants also completed questionnaires at a six-month follow-up. We conducted correlational and multiple regression analyses (MRA) to examine the influence of the former work situation, coping strategies, and negative cognitions on job loss-related CG symptoms. MRA results showed that belief in an unjust world was related to job loss-related CG symptoms, cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Further, there was a significant relationship between CG symptoms following job loss and a preference for maladaptive coping over adaptive coping styles and a low level of self-esteem. This effect remained stable over time. These findings can inform the development of interventions for and early detection of job loss-related CG symptoms.

Citing Articles

Pre-job loss grief reactions and work attachment among sick-listed employees: Introduction of the imminent Job Loss Scale.

van Eersel J, Hulshof I, Wickham M, Smid G, Boelen P BMC Psychol. 2024; 12(1):118.

PMID: 38431615 PMC: 10909267. DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01626-8.

How future self-continuity mediates the impact of job loss on negative mental health outcomes among transitioning veterans.

Levin C, Nenninger S, Freundlich D, Glatt S, Sokol Y Mil Psychol. 2023; 36(5):491-503.

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Aging and Burnout for Nurses in an Acute Care Setting: The First Wave of COVID-19.

Beier M, Cockerham M, Branson S, Boss L Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023; 20(8).

PMID: 37107847 PMC: 10138881. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20085565.

Grief reactions, depression, and anxiety following job loss: patterns and correlates.

van Eersel J, Taris T, Boelen P Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2023; 12(1):1905348.

PMID: 36877469 PMC: 9754011. DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2021.1905348.

van Eersel J, Taris T, Boelen P Front Psychiatry. 2022; 13:933995.

PMID: 35935428 PMC: 9354410. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.933995.

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