Open AccessTo Work or Not to Work? An Enquiry of Men Experiencing Unemployment, Promotion, and Retirement
Author(s) -
Linda L. Viney,
Ana Maria Tych
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
psychology and human development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2537-950X
DOI - 10.2224/sbp.6314
Subject(s) - unemployment , promotion (chess) , autonomy , work (physics) , psychology , social psychology , paid work , content analysis , demographic economics , gerontology , labour economics , sociology , economics , political science , medicine , social science , working hours , economic growth , engineering , politics , law , mechanical engineering
The psychological reactions of 3 groups of men undergoing work-related transitions (unemployment, promotion, and retirement) were compared using content analysis of their responses to an open-ended question about their current experiences. Our propositions linking paid work with psychological well-being were supported by data from the promoted and unemployed groups. The retired group also gave support to these propositions, in accordance with the assumptions of society that they proved to be content to "relax and potter." Qualitative analyses of the men's responses, while showing cohort effects, also demonstrated that worth and work were strongly associated, and another important associate of worth was autonomy.