Meaningful activity and psychological models of non-employment

Study of the psychology of unemployment has been enhanced by the articulation of two models, one emphasizing personally generated activity: the ‘agency hypothesis’ of Fryer and Payne (1984); the other emphasizing ‘situational factors’: access to key categories of experience primarily provided by employment (Jahoda, 1982). This article broadens the debate to non-employment (unemployment and retirement) and points to a possible synthesis of models by considering the perceived nature of meaningful activity and factors involved in commitment to activity. It also proposes that if the processes involved in commitment are to be fully understood and a deeper understanding of the dynamics of adaptation and reaction to change is to be gained, then the dimension of ‘personal history’ of time-use needs to be added to those of ‘agency’ and ‘situational’ factors. A life themes, lifestyle approach is advocated as one way of undertaking this.