The Reciprocal Relationship Between Resources and Psychological Distress Among Unemployed Job Seekers

• Published in: Journal of career development Vol. 46; no. 1; pp. 17 - 30
• Main Authors: De Cuyper, Nele, Philippaers, Kristien, Vanhercke, Dorien, De Witte, Hans
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-02-2019; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: well-being; resources; outplacement; efficacy; network
• ISSN: 0894-8453; 1556-0856; 1573-3548
• DOI: 10.1177/0894845317730413

This study sets out to investigate the reciprocal relationship between resources and psychological distress in a sample of unemployed job seekers shortly after dismissal. This idea of reciprocal relationships is inspired by general resource-based theories, the conservation of resources theory, and the broaden and build theory in particular. We selected perceived availability of networks as a social resource and reemployment efficacy as a personal resource, and we distinguished between negative and absence of positive affect as indicators of psychological distress. We analyzed data of 610 unemployed job seekers who participated twice in a survey with a time lag of 6 months and using structural equation modeling. Results showed that negative affect (but not absence of positive affect) depleted both perceived availability of networks and reemployment efficacy. The path from resources to psychological distress was not significant. We discuss potential implications for research and practice.