A PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL SUPPORT GROUP FOR UNEMPLOYED PERSONS

A Psychoeducational Support Group for Unemployed Persons

Brandi Bartels, Manuela Correia-Guerra, Patricia Garrett, Seth Klinehoffer

Wake Forest University
February 2, 2015

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Rationale for the Group

We believe a psychoeducational support groups life-skills, would have a positive effect
on both the members re-employment efforts and the members ability to achieving selfactualization. The rationale behind the need for such a program, one that addresses the
depressive state of those who are unemployed, is based on the staggering suicide rates among
those suffering from financial duress. Such strain can have severe repercussions in the
individuals interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships; such difficulties may be the catalyst for
depression and suicidal ideation.
This style of group serves a unique purpose by providing its members with important
life-skills training [with a] focus on helping persons identify and correct deficits in their lifecoping responses and learn new, appropriate behaviors (Gladding, 2011, p.13). This program
will provide tools, e.g. coping methods, employment rehabilitation services, to support
development of stronger coping skills and practical employment strategies needed with the
transition to re-employment. This group will serve, through the Department of Labor, adults of
any age or gender who have lost employment. The program will be funded by the U.S.
Department of Labors One Stop Career services, and will take place in the labor department
building for the members designated district. The purpose of this group is to provide resources,
through counseling, to address the emotional and mental affects brought upon or exacerbated by
a decrease of financial stability of the home. It will incorporate specific task/workshops,
individual and group counseling sessions.

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According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest percentage of
employed adults in 2013 was comprised of adults between the ages of 25 and 54 at 76%. The
numbers steadily decline after age 54, and then make a steep drop to only 17.7% after age 65,
(United States Department of Labor, 2015). In the past 10 years, suicide rates among middleaged adults in the United States have risen immensely, many professionals contribute financial
and economic stress to this growing trend (Parker-Pope, 2013). Known as the Silent Epidemic,
the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more adults between the ages of 35-64
now die from suicide than car accidents (CDC, 2013). The highest increase in suicides was seen
in males in their 50s, where the rate increased by 50% (Parker-Pope, 2013).
Loneliness and isolation among middle-aged males is also seen as a contributing factor to
the increase in suicides. Julie A. Phillips points to a decrease in marriages and an increase in
divorce rates coinciding with the rise of suicides (Phillips, 2014). She goes on to say, I speculate
that the broad social and economic changes introduced in the 1960s may have weakened
traditional forms of social integration and regulation for the postwar cohorts, leading to a pattern
of rising suicide rates, (Phillips, 2014).
Another contributing factor of depression and suicide is the economic impact on ones
quality of life. The economic recession has brought with it a myriad of different negative issues.
One issue of urgent note is that of suicide brought on by the loss of employment and its
consequential economic strain. As the after-effects of the recession have lingered long after its
official end, data has indicated that issues such as suicide must be addressed. We must work, as
a group, to alleviate the stress and depression that stems from unemployment in an attempt to
lessen the likelihood of suicidal thoughts. In doing so, we find it necessary to focus on individual

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factors related to economic strain that are linked to suicide. These factors can include divorce,
criminal behavior, health and nutritional issues, drug use, and suicide.
As suicide is the factor that would require the most immediate attention, the group will
focus on that single aspect as a main priority. We must, of course, analyze data to determine how
best to proceed and what instruments and methods to use to assist those suffering economic
stress with avoiding suicidal tendencies. Below are some of the factors that the data has specified
to be pertinent and linked, to varying degrees, to suicide.
Many aspects of the economic strain caused by unemployment have been tied to suicide
risk. For example, data indicates that many people who committed suicide under economically
strained conditions did so within hours of potentially losing their homes (Stack & Wasserman,
2007, p. 108). This same study also indicates, however, that unemployment must be a present
concern, as only one of the suicides analyzed was committed by someone who was simply
anticipating unemployment (Stack & Wasserman, 2007, p. 108).
We often assess suicide risk among those suffering directly from economic stresses
brought about by unemployment, but we must also be concerned regarding more vicarious
situations. Stack and Wasserman (2007) note that suicides were logged involving secondary
victims of economic strain, such as a 16 year old who was concerned over the financial problems
of the parents (p. 109). There is a significant correlation between the U.S. annual unemployment
rates and the U.S annual suicide rates during 1984 2000 according to one study. The rate of
unemployment when charted next to the rate of suicide showed an increase in suicide as the
unemployment rate rose, r(17)=0.76, r2(17)=0.57, F(1, 15)=20.29, and P<0.001 (y=0.44x+9.32).
(Inoue, 2009)

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Considering the length of time unemployed and the gender of group can deepen this
significant correlation. Men who have been unemployed for 15 to 26 weeks have a significant
correlation to suicide, compared with those who are newly unemployed. While the correlation is
still significant in women during the 15 to 26 week time period, it still falls behind in comparison
to males. (Classen and Dunn, 2012)
Similar to the correlation studies of unemployment and suicide, it has been found that
there are significant correlations between unemployment and divorce. One study found that
during the years 1984-2000, there was also a significant correlation between rate of divorce and
the rate of unemployment: r(17)=0.91, r2(17)=0.82, F(1, 15) = 69.47, and P <0.001 (y = 2.14x +
2.12). (Inoue, 2009)
According to another study, the correlation between unemployment and divorce is
dependent on the age of the testing group. Those couples, in which the wife was 30 or under,
didnt have a significant correlation between divorce and unemployment, while older couples,
with wives about the age of 30, had a significant correlation between the two, (Roy, 2011).
Significant changes in lifestyle, i.e. financial security, and marital satisfaction can both
exacerbate depressive states.
It is evident by the statistical data collected that a strong relationship exists between
negative financial security to negative quality of life; increasing the likelihood of suffering a
depressive episode and suicidal ideation. Such risks could be prevented through this program, by
educating the members with employment rehabilitation techniques and coping skills to get
through the transition.

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References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Suicide Among Adults Aged 35-64
Years. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 62(17), 321-325.
Classen, T. J. and Dunn, R. A. (2012). The effect of job loss and unemployment duration on
suicide risk in the United States: a new look using mass-layoffs and unemployment
duration. Health Econ., 21: 338350. doi: 10.1002/hec.1719
Gladding, Samuel T. (2011-03-14). Groups: A Counseling Specialty (6th Edition) (Merrill
Counseling) (Page 13). Pearson HE, Inc.. Kindle Edition.
Inoue, K. (2009). The Correlation of the Suicide Rates with the Rates of Unemployment and
Divorce in the United States during Seventeen Years. The American Journal of Forensic
Medicine and Pathology, 30(3), 311-312.
Parker-Pope, T. (2013, May 2). Suicide Rates Rise Sharply in U.S. The New York Times.
Retrieved from www.nytimes.com.
Phillips, J. A. (2014). A Changing Epidemiology of Suicide? The Influence of Birth
Cohorts on Suicide Rates in the United States. Social Science and Medicine,
114, 151-160.
Roy, S. (2011), Unemployment Rate and Divorce. Economic Record, 87: 5679.
doi: 10.1111/j.1475-4932.2011.00746.x
Stack, S., and Wasserman, I. (2007). Economic Strain and Suicide Risk: A Qualitative Analysis.
Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior: Vol. 37, No. 1, pp. 103-112.
United States Department of Labor. (2015). Labor Force Statistics from the Current
Population Survey. Retrieved from www.bls.gov.