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The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test
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Involuntary Career Changes: A Lonesome Social Experience
Jonas Masdonati1, Caroline É Frésard1, Michaël Parmentier1,2
1Research Center in Vocational Psychology and Career Counseling, Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Frontiers in Psychology
|June 20, 2022
Summary
Involuntary career changes are significantly shaped by social relationships. Family, friends, and institutions can act as barriers or support systems during career transitions, impacting the overall experience.
Area of Science:
- Sociology of Work
- Organizational Psychology
- Career Development Studies
Background:
- Career changes are common, but involuntary transitions due to unemployment or health issues are understudied.
- Relational influences significantly impact career processes and experiences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how social environments affect involuntary career changes.
- To identify sources and forms of relational influences on career transitions.
Main Methods:
- Semi-structured interviews with 14 adults undergoing involuntary career changes.
- Thematic analysis to identify relational influences and their impact.
Main Results:
- Three sources of influence identified: personal (family, friends), work (labor market), and institutional (support structures, guidance professionals).
- Influences were positive, negative, or ambivalent, varying across career change stages.
- Personal environment (family, friends) often acted as barriers during career shifts and implementation.
Conclusions:
- Involuntary career changes are complex social experiences shaped by diverse relational influences.
- The work environment can be unreceptive to career changers, and institutional support may be inadequate.
- Despite social aspects, individuals experience loneliness and shame during these transitions.
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