Unemployment and Subjective Well-being: Comparing Younger and Older Job Seekers

Abstract

We examine the link between unemployment and subjective well-being by introducing historically sensitive variables related to neoliberal ideology and policies such as measures of self-blame, shame, work ethic and flexibility. Drawing on a survey study we find that young job seekers (N = 357) have a significantly lower self-reported subjective well-being than employed persons of the same age (N = 183). Young and older unemployed people (N = 52) report the same level of subjective well-being; however, older unemployed people score significantly higher on clinical measures of depression, anxiety and stress. In contrast, younger job seekers score significantly higher on measures relating to the neoliberal development. We identify a minority of people who do not perceive themselves as unemployed even though they formally are, and drawing on governmentality studies we infer them to be entrepreneurs. We highlight the need to recognize heterogeneity and historical sensitivity when addressing the complex relationship between subjective well-being and unemployment. The implications of this empirical study are that different groups might benefit from different interventions and that policy makers should take this into consideration.

Planning for a Job

“…Spending time away from job searching and stepping out of the plan and participating in other regimes seemed to provide people with a sense of joy. These finding are in line with the findings by Pultz and Teasdale (2017), Demazière (2020), and Eschweiler and Pultz (2021). Having hobbies or engaging in meaningful often unpaid activities detached from the job search is identified as important for well-being and agency (Eschweiler & Pultz, 2021; Pultz & Teasdale, 2017).…”

“…These finding are in line with the findings by Pultz and Teasdale (2017), Demazière (2020), and Eschweiler and Pultz (2021). Having hobbies or engaging in meaningful often unpaid activities detached from the job search is identified as important for well-being and agency (Eschweiler & Pultz, 2021; Pultz & Teasdale, 2017). Demazière (2020) identified a successful job search strategy among former unemployed people as investing limited emotional resources in the job search to avoid a strong sense of defeat and rejection, thus resulting in making better job candidates.…”

Experiences of involuntary job loss and health during the economic crisis in Portugal

“…Furthermore, the aggregate stresses are likely to have consequences for the unemployed family dynamics including the well-being of their off springs. 21 The majority of research that has been carried out on the impact of the 2008 economic recession on physical and mental health consequences has overwhelmingly used quantitative methodology [22][23][24][25][26] ; thus, there is a lack of comprehensive studies investigating the experiences of those who lost their work and livelihoods, and how this affected their well-being. Therefore, this study aimed to explore experiences of involuntary unemployment during the economic recession and their relationship with health, conceptualized as a state of physical, mental, and social wellbeing among unemployed individuals.…”

Arbejdsløs i en (corona)krisetid: et opgør med selvansvaret?

“…objektive faerdigheder eller arbejdsmarkedsforhold. Selvom arbejdsløshedsoplevelsen givetvis er heterogen, viser Pultz både på baggrund af kvalitative og kvantitative studier, at selvbebrejdelse er udbredt, i mindre grad blandt aeldre end yngre dagpengemodtagere (Pultz & Teasdale, 2017). Danske dagpengemodtagere attribuerer i høj grad både forklaringen på ledighed samt løsningen på ledighed til interne faktorer sammenlignet med eksterne faktorer.…”