Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Unemployment and Well-Being: From Psychology Today

Psychology Today have an interesting post on the work of Johoda on the social psychology of unemployment. Below are reasons why employment might contribute to well-being. The full post is here


1. It imposes a time structure on the day and thereby on our experience. Much as we celebrate leisure, Jahoda made the interesting point that leisure time is valued only when it is scarce, a complement to work as opposed to a substitute.

2. It enlarges the scope of relationships beyond those of the immediate family or neighborhood where one lives.

3. It provides meaning through the shared purposes and activities of a social group.

4. It assigns social status and clarifies personal identity. Work (or employment) need not be "high status" to meet this need.

5. It requires regular activity.

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