Explication of the construct of coping with involuntary job loss

A first study was conducted with the purpose of developing a new measure to assess coping with involuntary job loss. Five situation-specific coping scales were derived: Proactive Search, Nonwork Organization, Positive Self-Assessment, Distancing from Job Loss, and Job Devaluation. A second study using 159 displaced workers revealed the overall pattern of correlates between these coping measures and appraisal processes and coping resources were in the predicted direction. Less support was obtained for relationships between coping and stress symptoms. Evidence supported that coping is a process that changes over time. The complexities of construct validation relative to process models of coping are discussed and future research suggestions are provided.