To read Part I of this series, click here.
Research shows that societal messages and culture play a large role in how people experience unemployment and view work within their overall identity (Artazcoz, Benach, Borrell & Cortes, 2004). Men often receive the societal message that they must be the primary breadwinner in the family, and that their main family role and identity is to provide financially. However, as Luther Vandros and Janet Jackson said, “The best things in life are free.”
Use unemployment as an opportunity to expand your identity, both within your family and outside your family. Men are certainly much more then their work. For example, my identity includes a wide variety of aspects, such as a son, brother, professional counselor, friend, advocate for social justice, lifelong learner and of course, a New York Yankee fan! Use unemployment as an opportunity to become closer with your son, daughter, wife, husband, partner, mother, grandson, etc. I would venture to bet that the time you spend and love you provide to family and friends will be more valuable and cherished then any amount of Benjamin’s.
Furthermore, unemployed individuals that engaged in solution-oriented coping techniques, such as short-term budgeting, experienced greater psychological well-being during unemployment (Waters & Moore, 2001). I know; going over a budget makes unemployment and the financial hardship that goes along with unemployment all the more real. However, short-term budgeting also makes financial situations more manageable, and therefore less stressful. Therefore, don’t be like the student that leaves his or her paper till the last minute, only to see his or her stress level rise due to the impending anxiety of the unknown.
According to research, when unemployed it helps to pick up the phone and call a friend, volunteer and/or join an alumni organization (McKee-Ryan, Song, Wanberg & Kinicki, 2005). Keeping a daily schedule that involves both job searching and leisure activities is also shown to increase psychological well-being during unemployment (Waters & Moore, 2001). Additionally, try to think to all of the positive personality traits that you have and accomplishments you have achieved.
Think back to the adversity you have faced in the past and how you soared past that adversity. Suddenly you will begin to feel more optimistic about the future and begin to say “Yes I can!”
Greg Welikson is a recent graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education Applied Psychology Program, graduating with a Master’s of Philosophy in Professional Counseling and Psychology. The author can be reached at greg.welikson@gmail.com regarding questions, comments or for a reference list of the sources cited in the article.
July 30th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
a job very well done. cynthia