Embitterment among the unemployed: A multiple mediation model of belief in a just world

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The negative consequences of job loss on financial and psychological quality of life have been well documented. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the level of unemployed individuals’ embitterment and the mechanism by which negative life experiences increase embitterment by lowering the belief in a just world (BJW). METHODS: A survey was administered to 1,074 unemployed Korean adults who visited a regional Center for Employment and Welfare. Question items included the Korean version of posttraumatic embitterment disorder (PTED) self-rating scale, the BJW (personal and general) scale, negative life events, and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: Only 45.9% of the participants were categorized as being in a ‘normal state,’ indicating that many of the unemployed were emotionally embittered. There was a positive direct effect of an increase in negative life events on embitterment. Negative life events also significantly and indirectly affected embitterment through personal BJW. CONCLUSIONS: Embitterment was prevalent among the unemployed participants and embitterment was a reactive emotion following personal downgrading, not so much related to conditions in the world at large. Thus, we recommend developing a screening program to detect extreme embitterment and an interventional program to help people better cope with emotional stress due to job loss. Efforts should be made to restore their violated expectation and trust that they would be treated in a just and fair way.