What is the impact of losing a job on personality?
Being unemployed can change the nature of your personality, making you significantly less agreeable and changing your level of conscientious and openness, according to a new study in the Journal of Applied Psychology. # Why Job Loss Affects Your Self-Esteem
Job loss can be an incredibly difficult life event to cope with, creating deep-seated anxiety, sadness and even depression, but the toll it takes on your self-esteem can often be even more damaging. A recent poll of unemployed job seekers found that 89% reported feeling a loss of self-worth and purpose in the wake of their job loss.
Losing a job can be devastating for many reasons. Aside from the rapid change in routine, loss of income and potential relocation or home sale, job loss often engenders feelings of being a “failure” and not measuring up. When a key part of our identity is stripped away – like our job title or the sense of worth that comes from earning a paycheck – it can shake the foundation that our self-esteem is built on.
## The Mental & Emotional Effects of Job Loss
The emotional and mental effects of job loss can be crippling:
* Anxiety: Anxiety is a sense of worry or fear that often occurs when you don’t know how to control a situation. With job loss, the feeling of being out of control can be overwhelming, leading to physical and mental symptoms such as sleep disturbances, irritability, stomach problems and more.
* Depression: Depressed moods – like feeling constantly sad or worthless – often occur in the wake of job loss. Researchers have linked job loss with an increased risk of developing depression in the future, particularly among the unemployed and those working in low-wage jobs.
* Low self-esteem: Low self-esteem is an attitude whereby you view yourself as inadequate, inferior or worthless. With job loss, you may start to compare yourself with other successful people and feel like a failure in comparison. You may also start to feel like your self-worth is tied to your ability to earn money or to do some form of meaningful work. This can have a devastating effect on your mental state.
## Strategies for Managing the Effects of Job Loss
If you’ve recently experienced job loss, it’s important to take steps to manage the emotional and mental effects. Here are a few strategies for managing the effects of job loss:
* Seek counseling: Speaking with a mental health professional can be a great resource for managing the emotional and mental effects of job loss, such as anxiety and depression. A therapist can help you identify the source of your stress and develop strategies for handling it.
* Stay connected: Isolation can often make the effects of job loss worse, so making and keeping social connections is important. Consider joining a job club or connecting with people who have gone through the same experience. This can provide much needed support and help you feel less alone.
* Practice self-care: Taking care of yourself can help combat the effects of job loss by boosting your self-esteem, improving your mood and reducing stress levels. Self-care can be as simple as taking a walk, meditating, or engaging in a hobby.
## Taking Steps to Rebuild Self-Esteem
In addition to managing the emotional and mental effects of job loss, it’s important to take steps to rebuild your self-esteem. Reclaim the sense of pride and worth that comes from doing meaningful work; when you start to feel like “failure”, remind yourself of the many successes that led you to where you are. Focus on the skills and experiences that employers will value, and create a job search plan to turn this into something positive. Volunteer your time to a cause you believe in, or use your free time to try new things and develop new interests. Each of these steps will help build your self-worth and confidence.
## Resources
Job Loss and Mental Health: A Guide for Coping: https://www.mentalhelp.net/articles/job-loss-mental-health/
Building Self-Esteem After Job Loss: https://www.job-hunt.org/depression-job-loss/build-self-esteem-after-job-loss.shtml
Dealing with Anxiety After Losing a Job: https://www.verywellmind.com/anxiety-after-losing-a-job-1067261