Old Age and Unemployment: Predictors of Perceived Control, Depression, and Loneliness

A survey explored predictors of perceived control, depression, and loneliness among chronically unemployed adults age 50 and older. As expected, these cognitive and emotional states were significantly related to the situational aspects of unemployment (e.g., length, remaining bene-fits). However, they were also consistently related to such personality characteristics as assertiveness and lack of shyness, and the ability to take another’s perspective. This article discusses implications for unemployment counseling for older adults. The stressful nature of unemployment has been widely documented. At an aggregate level, national and regional unemployment rates tend to predict mental hospital admissions, suicide, and stress-related illness (Brenner, 1973, 1976). At an individual level, job loss has been related to the psycho-logical symptoms of stress, such as depression, anomie, and anger, and to physical symptoms such as hypertension (Cobb & Kasl, 1977; Kessler, Turner, & House, 1988). Unfortunately, the financial and emotional strain of prolonged unemployment may also disrupt one’s personal relationships with friends, former co-workers, and family, eroding their ability to provide support (Liem & Rayman, 1982). Recessionary unemployment can be especially threatening, with long-term implications for health, security, and emotional well-being. The proba-bility of finding work is only in part a function of individual efforts, as it als