COPING WITH A LAYOFF - A LONGITUDINAL-STUDY OF VICTIMS

This article reports the results of a longitudinal study of layoff vic tims and how they cops with job loss. We examine whether the perceived fairness of layoff procedures, corporate and government assistance pr ograms, and individual differences influence the choice of problem-foc used and/or symptom-focused coping strategies. Our findings challenge traditionally held assumptions about factors that may be associated wi th successful coping. Specifically, perceptions of the fairness of lay off procedures and adequacy of government assistance programs were neg atively related with problem-focused strategies used by layoff victims , and there was no relationship with corporate assistance programs and the choice of coping strategy. In addition, self-blame for the job lo ss was positively related to a symptom-focused strategy. Suggestions f or future research on victims of layoffs are discussed.