A LONGITUDINAL-STUDY OF JOB LOSS IN RELATION TO THE GRIEF PROCESS

This study extended a previous assessment of the applicability of the grief process to job-loss, using a longitudinal sample. A sample of 38 unemployed men were interviewed shortly after job loss (t(1)), and at four times over the following year (t(2)-t(5)), using a structured in terview, a personal scaling technique [PQRST: Mulhall (1978), Manual f or Personal Questionnaire Scaling Technique. NFER], and standard quest ionnaires of attachment to the former job, anxiety and depression. Of the sample, 24% fulfilled a criterion for a grief-like response at t(1 ). Factor analysis of the PQRST showed evidence for a general grief fa ctor. A composite grief score from the interview was associated with t wo measures of job attachment (at t(1)), and with questionnaire measur es of depression and anxiety at t(1)-t(5). There was a gradual decline over time in the grief reaction.