Working through job loss: Characteristics and consequences of complicated grief following job loss

Abstract

Although the majority of the individuals confronted with involuntary job loss show stable levels of healthy functioning after job loss, a significant minority develops symptoms of job loss-related complicated grief (JLCG). Research on grief following bereavement loss showed that complicated grief symptoms include reactions like separation distress, yearning, preoccupation with the loss, anger, bitterness, and the feeling that life is meaningless, causing persistent suffering and impairments in daily life. It seemed conceivable that if JLCG symptoms are in some way similar to complicated grief symptoms following bereavement loss, they could not just negatively affect one’s psychological well-being, but could also form an obstacle to re-entering the labour market. Hence, the main research question of this dissertation was: ‘What are characteristics and correlates of complicated grief symptoms following job loss?’. This research question was addressed in eight chapters drawing on various samples, study designs and statistical techniques. The findings of these studies show that individuals can experience complicated grief symptoms after involuntary job loss. Factor and latent class analyses indicated that complicated grief symptoms differ from anxiety and depression symptoms after involuntary job loss. Avoidance strategies and negative cognitions related to the job loss were repeatedly associated with the intensity of JLCG symptoms. The results of diary study indicated that when someone perceives daily activities as more useful, one will experience more fulfilment of the basic needs (e.g., the need for affiliation or the need for time structure) and less emotional distress. Based on the findings in these empirical studies, a cognitive-behavioural framework was introduced to explain the underlying mechanisms of complicated grief symptoms after involuntary job loss. Three core processes play a central role, namely 1) negative cognitions related to the job loss, 2) anxious and depressive avoidance behaviour, and 3) insufficient integration of the loss in the autobiographical memory. These three core processes can be influenced by certain risk factors, such as circumstances surrounding the job loss, personality traits, and the social environment. JLCG symptoms can lead to an increase of psychological problems, emotional distress, reduced employability, depletion of resources, and a decreased chance of re-employment. In conclusion, the majority of individuals recover well after involuntary job loss, while a significant minority remains stranded and experiences high levels of emotional stress. The work within this dissertation shows that within this minority we should not only focus on symptoms of depression and anxiety, but also pay attention to the complicated grief symptoms in order to identify and treat vulnerable individuals in an early stage after involuntary job loss.