The impact of unemployment and economic stress on social support

Two waves of questionnaire data obtained from displaced workers are used to test whether continuous unemployment (vs. reemployment) and increased economic stress influence displaced workers' perceptions of social support for a period of one to nine months following job loss from a plant closing. Two kinds of effects, stability and change, in these variables are examined. The results demonstrate change in social support after job loss, which indicates that unemployment and social support are mutually related and that life events (continuous unemployment) have an impact on social support through economic distress. Findings point to the need for further research on the issue of stress-buffering mechanisms.