Helping a Spouse Cope With Being Laid Off

"Recently, my husband lost his job, and the timing was terrible. We had just purchased a new home in need of major renovations, and of course, we were running on a tight budget. We were paying a mortgage in addition to the monthly rent on our previous home and the renovation expenses. While not life-threatening, his unemployment was stressful for both of us. I've worked with clients facing similar stressors from being laid off or chronically unemployed."

"However, it's also important to consider the effect that job loss has collectively on the person's family. Research on heterosexual couples, for example, shows that women's mental health declines following their spouse's job loss. Gendered attitudes contribute to these effects. While women might compensate for job loss by taking on more household tasks, men might struggle to find purpose when they are no longer providing income."

"Research shows, for instance, that men whose wives are the breadwinners have a higher allostatic load, which is a measure of the cumulative wear and tear of chronic stress on the body. That effect is only true, however, when they endorse traditional gender ideology. Reflective of gender norms, male clients are reluctant to share their employment struggles with friends and family because of the shame that these struggles induce."

A husband lost his job shortly after purchasing a home needing major renovations, creating financial strain from mortgage, rent, and renovation expenses. Unemployment caused stress for both partners despite not being life-threatening. Involuntary job loss often exacts an emotional toll and can erode identity; perfectionists are especially vulnerable because they tie self-worth to achievement. Job loss affects families; research finds women's mental health declines after a spouse's job loss and gendered attitudes shape responses. Women may increase household tasks while men may struggle to find purpose without providing income. Men whose wives are breadwinners show higher allostatic load when endorsing traditional gender beliefs, and male clients often hide employment struggles due to shame.

Read at Psychology Today