La crisis financiera y el desempleoanálisis de su impacto psicológico

Abstract

The financial crisis was felt in Portugal from the beginning of 2008, through the strong compression of credit, the collapse of private banks and the reduction of the growth rate. Some of the consequences of this financial crisis and the various policy measures to respond to it have been the continued rise in unemployment, growing demands for access to social protection schemes, retreating public provision in various areas and deepening inequalities (Caldas, 2013). In addition to the economic and social constraints arising from the economic and financial crisis, the implications in terms of risk behavior, consumption and malaise (anxiety and depression) have been highlighted. In a preventive and comprehensive perspective, rather than focusing on the harmful effects, it is important to perceive and highlight protective factors and that act as promoters of the well-being of individuals. The present study aims to analyze the psychological impact of unemployment in terms of mental health (empirical study I) and well-being, and to identify factors that facilitate adaptation to an adverse situation such as unemployment (empirical study II). For this purpose we used the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) as an indicator of mental health; The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the SWLS Life Satisfaction Scale) to access well-being; And to access factors that facilitate adaptation to an adverse situation, we use the Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), the General Self-efficacy Scale (GSE), Proactive Coping, Informational, Pratical, and Emotional Support, the Scale of Optimism and the Spirituality Scale (EDE). To carry out the study, we followed a quantitative approach associated to the application of psychometric evaluation methodology and subsequent statistical testing of the theoretical hypotheses formulated. For this purpose, a total of 734 surveys were collected, of which 137 corresponded to unemployed individuals. The results indicate significant differences between the unemployed and employees in terms of mental health (mainly depression) and in terms of psychological health and satisfaction with life. It was also found that unemployed individuals present lower average scores on the factors facilitating their adaptation to an adverse situation.