SOCIAL SUPPORT AND THE IMPACT OF JOB LOSS IN DISLOCATED BLUE-COLLAR WORKERS

Direct and buffering effects of social support were investigated for persons (N = 41) who worked in the timber industry an average of 14 years before losing their job because of layoffs. Severity of financial concerns and length of unemployment were assessed as stressors. Locus of control, self-esteem, depression, and global psychological symptoms (Brief Symptom Inventory) were examined as stress symptoms. The 6 types of support measured by the Social Provisions Scale (Cutrona & Russell, 1987, 1990) were tested for direct effects on stress symptoms and for interaction (buffering) effects with the stressors in predicting symptoms. Financial concerns and several types of support had strong direct effects on symptoms. Significant buffering effects were found for reassurance of worth support, which provides persons with the sense that others acknowledge their competencies and abilities. Strategies to increase this type of support are discussed.