Reciprocal relations between symptoms of complicated grief, depression, and anxiety following job loss: A cross‐lagged analysis

Abstract

Objective Involuntary job loss can lead to symptoms of complicated grief (CG), depression, and anxiety. Information about the temporal linkage between these symptoms is limited and may have implications for the treatment of those suffering from mental health complaints after dismissal. The aim of this study was to explore the possible reciprocal relationships between symptoms of CG, depression, and anxiety following involuntary job loss. Method We recruited 128 Dutch workers who had lost their job within the past 12 months, including 72 males and 56 females with an average age of 49.8 (SD = 9.0) years. They completed questionnaires tapping CG, depression, and anxiety symptoms at baseline (Time 1) and a 6‐month follow‐up (Time 2). Several cross‐lagged panel models were compared. Results Our analyses indicated that CG symptom severity following job loss at Time 1 predicted depression at Time 2, but not vice versa. Similar results were found for job loss‐related CG and anxiety symptoms. Conclusions Symptom‐levels of CG following job loss predict later depression and anxiety symptoms more strongly than vice versa. This implies that screening and targeting job loss‐related CG symptoms with early interventions might protect individuals from developing depression or anxiety symptoms after their dismissal.

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.…”

“…Grief reactions are characterized by separation distress combined with difficulties accepting the loss, yearning, difficulty finding meaning in life, feeling bitterness over the loss, identity confusion, and difficulty moving on with life, causing severe distress and disability on most days (Prigerson et al, 2009 ). Job loss-related grief reactions can occur in conjunction with symptoms of depression and anxiety, and may also precipitate elevations of symptoms of depression and anxiety over time (Van Eersel, Taris, & Boelen, 2020b ). Nonetheless, recent variable-centred studies have shown that depression, anxiety and grief reactions can be distinguished empirically (Papa & Maitoza, 2013 ; Van Eersel et al, 2019 ).…”

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health: An international study

“…For most people, it stands to reason that governmentally mandated lockdowns decrease their activity levels and the number of stimuli experienced compared to pre-lockdown levels. The impact of reducing activities, stimuli and routines on the population is unknown, but various analogue situations can be used to make predictions, like death of a spouse [3]; hearing loss [4]; job loss [5]; long duration expeditions [6]; poor acculturation [7]; and even ageing when combined with loneliness [8]. Each of these situations is associated with increases in psychological distress.…”

Working through job loss

“…ENDNOTE 1. In other studies, 'job loss-related grief reactions' were called 'job loss-related complicated grief symptoms' to described the same phenomenon , 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…”

“…Grief reactions are characterised by separation distress combined with difficulties accepting the loss, yearning, difficulty finding meaning in life, feeling bitterness over the loss, identity confusion, and difficulty moving on with life, causing severe distress and disability on most days . Job loss-related grief reactions can occur in conjunction with symptoms of depression and anxiety, and may also precipitate elevations of symptoms of depression and anxiety over time (Van Eersel et al, 2020b).…”