Abstract
Job loss has been associated with pervasive, and often negative, impacts on well-being. Conversely, the potentially positive aspects of job loss have received considerably less attention in the literature. Further, the relationship between well-being and job loss needs to be better nuanced. Using a case study design, this study drew from a positive psychology perspective to inductively identify both positive and negative qualitative factors that explain the relationship between well-being and job loss. We investigated the lived experience of well-being for 20 technology sector workers in the Ottawa, Canada area who had experienced involuntary job loss, and explored the following research question: What do individuals describe as being the key factors, conditions, and critical events (i.e., potential process factors) that have impacted their self-perceived well-being following job loss? Two major themes were identified: (a) coping responses and processes, and (b) protective and sensitizing processes. Coping responses and processes consisted of problem-focused coping, meaning-making, attitudes and expectancies, behavioural processes, and emotional processes. Protective and sensitizing processes included identity and self-esteem, impact of past adversity, and, personal resources and characteristics. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
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Notes
Note: The word ‘factors’ is used here as a term of convenience that refers to exploratory, qualitative variables which may also include conditions and events. It does not denote statistically validated factors.
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Acknowledgements
This research was funded in part by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (752-2012-1981) and the Ontario Graduate Scholarships program. We would also like to acknowledge our research team volunteers and research assistants (Jasmin Banaei, Zeinab Altmieme, and Jennifer Neufeld). These study findings have been presented at past conferences.
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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the University of Ottawa and were approved by its Research Ethics Board.
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Synard, J., Gazzola, N. Moving Towards Positive Well-Being in the Face of Adversity: What Explains Individual Variations in Well-Being Following Job Loss?. Int J Adv Counselling 41, 415–435 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-018-9359-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-018-9359-6