There is extensive research on the theory of unemployment which posits that job loss and longer-term unemployment have a profound and detrimental effect on well-being. The impacts are severe, and the stakes are higher, for older adults who experience longer durations of unemployment and have less time to recover from financial losses. Despite widespread research, less is known about the multi-faceted phenomenon of coping with long-term job loss at midlife. This study identifies new aspects of complementary coping strategies used by the midlife, long-term unemployed to safeguard their well-being. Qualitative data were collected from a sample of long-term unemployed age 47–59 from the Workforce Investment Act dislocated worker program ( N = 16) who reported positive well-being on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Structured interview questions generated detailed data on coping strategies. Data were analyzed using MAXQDA10 software. Key coping strategies associated with positive well-being included productive use of time on meaningful activities, conserving financial resources, social supports, and cognitive maneuvers. These findings suggest that employing certain behavioral coping strategies together safeguards subjective well-being during long-term unemployment and enables midlife individuals to remain active in their job search.

中文翻译：

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中年失业：保障健康的应对策略

人们对失业理论进行了广泛的研究，认为失业和长期失业会对福利产生深远而有害的影响。对于失业时间较长且从经济损失中恢复的时间较短的老年人而言，影响是严重的，风险也更大。尽管进行了广泛的研究，但对于应对中年长期失业的多方面现象知之甚少。这项研究确定了中年，长期失业以维护其幸福感的补充应对策略的新方面。定性数据是从《劳动力投资法》下岗工人计划（N = 16）中长期失业的47-59岁样本中收集的，该计划在《一般健康调查表》（GHQ-12）上报告了良好的健康状况。结构化的面试问题产生了有关应对策略的详细数据。使用MAXQDA10软件分析数据。与积极幸福相关的关键应对策略包括在有意义的活动上有效地利用时间，节省财务资源，社会支持和认知技巧。这些发现表明，共同采用某些行为应对策略可以保护长期失业期间的主观幸福感，并使中年人在求职过程中保持活跃。