A Cross-Sectional Study Regarding Work-Centrality, Social Support and Job-Loss Related Complicated Grief

Abstract

According to empirical evidence, complicated grief may arise following job-loss. Aiming to get a deeper understanding in the concept of Job-loss related complicated grief (JLCG), we investigated whether people who score higher in work centrality were more likely to experience JLCG (H1), and if these effects were moderated by perceived social support (H2). We utilized the JLCG, the work-centrality and the f-sozU k-6 scales for each variable respectively. We used an online questionnaire in the Greek language with an N = 81, with females = 62.9%, males = 30.6% and other = 6.1 %, and an age range of 19 - 65 years old (M = 35.6, SD = 12) . We conducted a linear regression analysis and a moderation analysis using PROCESS for H1 and H2 respectively. Based on our results, we have been able to accept H1, implying that JLCG is more likely to be experienced by people who score high on work centrality. While results were significant for H2, moderation was not, so we do not have enough evidence to accept H2. These results imply that while there are significant factors present, the moderating role of social support could not be supported. Lastly, we suggest further research with a more heterogeneous sample in order to further investigate these results, as well as a longitudinal research in lieu of a cross-sectional design.