Effects of meaning in life and of work on health in unemployment

Steve Thill; Claude Houssemand; Anne Pignault

doi:10.1177/2055102920967258

Effects of meaning in life and of work on health in unemployment

Health Psychol Open. 2020 Oct 26;7(2):2055102920967258. doi: 10.1177/2055102920967258. eCollection 2020 Jul-Dec.

Authors

Steve Thill¹, Claude Houssemand¹, Anne Pignault²

Affiliations

¹ University of Luxembourg, Institute for LifeLong Learning and Guidance (LLLG), Department of Education and Social Work (DESW), Luxembourg.
² University of Lorraine, Psychology and Neuropsychology Laboratory (2LPN), France.

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.

Keywords: cognition; emotions; meaning; mental health; unemployment.