An article in the New York Times this past Monday described with empathic detail the costs of unemployment. This article generated a number of reactions from me. First, the article described the real costs of unemployment in human terms with poignant vignettes of how the loss of work has affected people. As we can read in this article, the loss of financial resources, social connection, and stability leads to disastrous results for many, including depression, anxiety, insomnia, relationship problems, and substance abuse. Second, the article conveyed the complex ways in which interrelated aspects of life are centered around work and relationships. (This is a key point in my psychology-of-working perspective, which I will describe in subsequent postings and which is described in my book entitled "The Psychology of Working"-Routledge, 2006.)
The New York Times article, which appeared on page A1, points to an issue that is often lost in statistics and economic analyses. Unemployment has significant financial costs to individuals, which is fairly well-documented; however, the psychological costs are often marginalized. Even when unemployment was 4%, I was concerned. I believe that work is a human birthright that is essential for psychological health. The psychological consequences of not working, as detailed in the Times article, ultimately detracts from our social order and from our moral framework. In short, lack of work breeds discontentment, despair, and depression that affects individuals, families, and communities. I am currently planning a study on unemployment that will add psychological depth to the material presented in the Times article.
One of the key questions is what can psychology contribute to the unemployment crisis. I think that we have several directions that we can advance. First, I believe that researchers can document the psychological costs of not working and of underemployment. Second, I would suggest that therapists document the stories that they are hearing (naturally with respect to the confidentiality of their clients). Third, I think that we need to engage in political advocacy that puts the costs of unemployment at the forefront of our considerations of this current economic crisis. For example, any suggestion that the recession is over (or nearly over) needs to be countered with a clear statement about the pervasive unemployment figures and the very real consequences in people's lives. Given our knowledge of the consequences of unemployment and underemployment, I would argue that we should engage our legislative representatives with psychologically-informed input on the crisis that affects so many people.
I would like know what you think of these ideas; I am hoping that this posting and future postings will help to generate a dialogue that can facilitate action at the community and national levels. My best to each of you for a happy and healthy holiday season.
