Abstract

Job loss is a distressing event with important psychological consequences. Individuals often turn to semi-anonymous online communities to seek support in dealing with job-loss while avoiding social stigma and family pressures. However, we know little about when and if such communities can buffer or fuel the consequences of the upheaval. We build on an emotions-based approach to role transitions to predict that the individual expression of negative emotions (e.g., sadness, anger) will augment during and after a job-loss event occurs. We further study which features of the job-loss narrative relate to the amount and type of social support received. Finally, we explore if distinct features of the received support prompt a faster or delayed emotional recovery. We collect a new data set of Reddit posts from recently laid off individuals to study the psychological effects of the layoff event using automated text analysis. O ur study informs theory in organizational behavior by exploring if online communities can aid in coping with work-related upheavals. Our results could inform online interventions targeting individuals going through job-loss.

Principal Investigators