Coping with a Layoff: A Longitudinal Study of Victims

Journal of Management, Vol 21, No. 6: 1025-1040, 1995

16 Pages Posted: 11 Mar 2014

See all articles by Nathan Bennett

Nathan Bennett

Georgia Institute of Technology - Organizational Behavior Area; J. Mack Robinson College of Business

Christopher Martin

Louisiana State University, Shreveport

Robert J. Bies

McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University

Joel Brockner

Columbia Business School

Date Written: 1995

Abstract

This article reports the results of a longitudinal study of layoff victims and how they cope with job loss. We examine whether the perceived fairness of layoff procedures, corporate and government assistance programs, and individual differences influence the choice of problem-focused and/or symptom-focused coping strategies. Our findings challenge traditionally held assumptions about factors that may be associated with successful coping. Specifically, perceptions of the fairness of layoff procedures and adequacy of government assistance programs were negatively related with problem-focused strategies used by layoff victims, and there was no relationship with corporate assistance programs and the choice of coping strategy. In addition, self-blame for the job loss was positively related to a symptom-focused strategy. Suggestions for future research on victims of layoffs are discussed.

Suggested Citation

Bennett, Nathan and Martin, Christopher and Bies, Robert J. and Brockner, Joel, Coping with a Layoff: A Longitudinal Study of Victims (1995). Journal of Management, Vol 21, No. 6: 1025-1040, 1995, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2406768

Nathan Bennett (Contact Author)

Georgia Institute of Technology - Organizational Behavior Area ( email )

800 West Peachtree St.
Atlanta, GA 30308
United States

J. Mack Robinson College of Business ( email )

P.O. Box 4050
Atlanta, GA 30303-3083
United States

HOME PAGE: http://nate-bennett.com

Christopher Martin

Louisiana State University, Shreveport ( email )

Shreveport, LA
United States

Robert J. Bies

McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University ( email )

3700 O Street, NW
Washington, DC 20057
United States
202-687-5406 (Phone)

Joel Brockner

Columbia Business School ( email )

3022 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
United States
212-854-4435 (Phone)
212-316-9355 (Fax)

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