What Helps the Unemployed to Stay Healthy? A Qualitative Study of Coping with the Negative Effects of Job Loss

Abstract

Background: A variety of empirical studies have shown the negative effects of unemployment on health. A research gap exists regarding salutogenic factors and successful coping strategies to master involuntary job loss and unemployment with the least damage to health. Hence, this study aims at generating a deeper understanding of coping with unemployment and maintaining health.Design and methods: We conducted problem-centered guideline interviews with 21 unemployed people. For the analysis of the interviews, we followed the qualitative content analysis.Results: The study identified that five themes were particularly relevant in coping with unemployment: i) the financial situation, ii) social support and psychosocial strains due family obligations, iii) health problems, iv) time structure, and v) coping strategies. The respondents expressed their financial situation as a major strain in unemployment. They emphasized the importance of social support by their families, but reported also stressful psychosocial demands due to their family members. Further, our respondents mentioned their health problems as a barrier to reintegration into the labour market. In connection with social role demands, a rudimentary time structure was reported by the participants. The common reported coping strategy in unemployment is seeking social support.Conclusions: In summary, our results show – besides health problems and a deteriorated financial situation in unemployment – the great importance of social support and time structure for maintaining mental health in unemployment. Consequently, health promotion approaches for the unemployed should especially target social support and time structure. Significance for public health The evidence and theories on the interactions between health and unemployment show that unemployment is a major challenge for public health, especially for prevention and health promotion. In order to be able to design appropriate health interventions for the unemployed, empirical results are needed regarding how people can cope as healthily as possible with this critical phase of life. The significance of the article is that it identifies salutogenic factors and successful coping strategies during unemployment. The results of the study can be used to provide guidance for prevention and health promotion interventions for the unemployed and to inform the unemployed population how to maintain health.