Complicated grief following job loss: Risk factors for its development and maintenance

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.

Negative Cognitions and Emotional Distress Following Job Loss: Development and Validation of the Beliefs About Loss of Work (BLOW) Scale

“…The basic assumption that the world is unfair enhances the tendency to act disrespectful to other people and increases cynicism (Dalbert, 2002). Accordingly, a recent study found that the belief that the world is unfair predicted JLCG symptoms 6 months later (Van Eersel et al, 2020).…”

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

“…1. In other studies, 'job loss-related grief reactions' were called 'job loss-related complicated grief symptoms' to described the same phenomenon (Papa & Lancaster, 2016;Papa et al, 2014;Papa & Maitoza, 2013;Van Eersel et al, 2019, 2020a, 2020b. In this study, the term 'job loss-related grief reactions' was used to clarify that we are not referring to disordered grief as currently defined in DSM-5 and ICD-11 and also to emphasize that we do not argue that 'job lossrelated grief reactions' or 'job loss-related complicated grief symptoms' should be included as a novel disorder in the existing classification systems.…”

COVID-19: Factors associated with psychological distress, fear, and coping strategies among community members across 17 countries

“…However, the primary reasons for COVID-related stress were associated with contracting the virus, related complications, restrictions and mandated lockdowns, social isolation, financial loss, lack of income and disruption of daily routines which have been observed globally [6]. Moreover, critical incidents such as deaths of family members, preexisting stressors, being older and migrant were substantial grounds for poor mental health outcomes [7]. An international study of 18 countries examining the mental health outcomes related to mandatory lockdowns showed that half of the study population (n=9,565) expressed moderate mental wellbeing; financial impacts along with lack of access to basic needs were identified as substantial grounds for such poor mental health outcomes [8].…”