Effects of meaning in life and of work on health in unemployment. Issue 2 (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thill, Steve; Houssemand, Claude; Pignault, Anne
• Is Part Of: Health psychology open. Volume 7:Issue 2(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: cognition -- emotions -- meaning -- mental health -- unemployment; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; Medicine and psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/2055102920967258
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2055-1029

Abstract

In line with the meaning making theory, people experience a discrepancy when their appraised meaning of a situation is in conflict with their general meaning framework. We wanted to replicate this result in the context of unemployment. Heren the meaning of work and meaning in life influenced the perception of unemployment and consequently had an impact on mental health. This study points to new ways of thinking about unemployment and career transitions. Whereas the COVID-19-induced economic crisis will see millions of people losing their jobs, these results could assist counselors in helping unemployed people better understand the experiences they are going through.