TY - JOUR
T1 - Positive and negative impacts of job loss on family life: the perceptions of Australian car workers
AU - Jolley, Gwyneth
AU - Newman, Lareen
AU - Ziersch, Anna
AU - Baum, Frances
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - This article contributes to research on the impact of job loss on families It is based on survey responses from 371 workers and in-depth interviews with 39 of them about the family impacts of their job loss from the Mitsubishi car factory in Adelaide in 2004-2005. A majority of workers said family life had been affected by their job loss. Quantitative analysis identified four variables significantly associated with family impacts: marital status, children living at home, employment status and financial management. Qualitative responses showed the predominantly negative impacts were financial strain loss of relationship stability, and general stress and worry, although few faced catastrophic impacts from their job loss. However, in contrast to most previous research, the in-depth interviews also revealed positive impacts from job loss, such as having more time at home and to spend with their family. We conclude that the existence of ongoing income support and public health insurance in Australia were important in avoiding catastrophic financial impacts on these workers and their families.
AB - This article contributes to research on the impact of job loss on families It is based on survey responses from 371 workers and in-depth interviews with 39 of them about the family impacts of their job loss from the Mitsubishi car factory in Adelaide in 2004-2005. A majority of workers said family life had been affected by their job loss. Quantitative analysis identified four variables significantly associated with family impacts: marital status, children living at home, employment status and financial management. Qualitative responses showed the predominantly negative impacts were financial strain loss of relationship stability, and general stress and worry, although few faced catastrophic impacts from their job loss. However, in contrast to most previous research, the in-depth interviews also revealed positive impacts from job loss, such as having more time at home and to spend with their family. We conclude that the existence of ongoing income support and public health insurance in Australia were important in avoiding catastrophic financial impacts on these workers and their families.
UR - http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=656745947171527;res=IELHSS
U2 - 10.1002/j.1839-4655.2011.tb00227.x
DO - 10.1002/j.1839-4655.2011.tb00227.x
M3 - Article
VL - 46
SP - 411
EP - 433
JO - Australian Journal of Social Issues
JF - Australian Journal of Social Issues
SN - 0157-6321
IS - 4
ER -