STRESS PREDICTORS FOR THE EMPLOYED AND UNEMPLOYED IN PRE-ACCESSION ROMANIA
STRESS PREDICTORS FOR THE EMPLOYED AND UNEMPLOYED IN PRE-ACCESSION ROMANIA

Summary/Abstract: This paper attempts to highlight the main differences in the manifestations of stress between employed and unemployed people in preaccession Romania. We considered variables like state and trait anxiety, optimism, social support, self-esteem, locus of control, positive and negative affect and the main coping mechanisms. Based on previous investigations, we expected that unemployed persons have higher levels of stress even after controlling for demographic variables (gender and age), education and individual resources. The empirical research took place in Cluj county in June 2006. We found no significant differences regarding the optimism level and the state anxiety, but the unemployed, on average, had a higher level of stress, lower self-esteem and a more external locus of control. There were several coping strategies adopted by both employed and unemployed people, yet those who lost their job used behavioural disengagement more frequently.

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