Symptoms of Job-Loss Grief

These are quite similar to the symptoms of death-related grief. Some will be expressed in different ways, of course. For example, one problem that people sometimes have when a loved one dies is an inability to recall happy memories of the deceased. In the case of job loss the problem may be trouble recalling good memories of the job or career.

Family symptoms for job-loss grief may be considerably different from those for death-related grief, although there are some similarities. The two immediate tasks are the same, however. The family needs to be a primary support group and must adjust to the new situation by changing the way it operates.

Symptoms that are the same or similar:

A parent’s diminished ability to parent

Difficulties adjusting to new family roles and tasks

Difficulties remembering the “good times”

Increased family disputes

Scapegoating and blaming others

Stress related problems

Greater susceptibility to diseases or medical problems

Symptoms that may be different:

Concerns and disputes about the financial future

Concerns about having to move

Worries about what friends will think about unemployed status

Introduction to Job-Loss Grief
What is Job-Loss Grief?
The Job-Loss Grief Stages
Helping Others With Their Job-Loss Grief
Suggestions for Managing Your Own Job-Loss Grief
Variables -- The Uniqueness Factors

Go back to home page