Profession Loss Crisis at an Old Age: Specific Features, Factors, and Mechanisms of Coping

Behav Sci (Basel). 2019 Dec 11;9(12):152. doi: 10.3390/bs9120152.

Abstract

This article discusses the specific characteristics of profession loss crisis at an old age. Profession loss crisis is the last normative crisis of personal professional development that is caused by the completion of one's professional biography after reaching a certain age. The research employs a psychobiographic method and a critical events method. These methods are based on the use of a formalized biographical questionnaire worked out by Norakidze V.G. and reconstructed by Zeer E.F. The authors have identified and provided a detailed description of the main factors that cause profession loss crisis: random events, adverse circumstances while implementing professional plans, etc. The article outlines the main strategies for coping with this crisis: changing jobs, re-training, the assistance of colleagues and administration, etc. The authors suggest technologies to minimize the effects of these factors and overcome profession loss crisis effectively.

Keywords: activity; factors that initiate profession loss crisis; mechanisms of coping with crisis; old age; profession loss crisis; professional crises; professional development; psychobiographic method; teachers.