The Experience of Losing a Job: Some Effects on Cardiovascular Functioning

Men whose jobs were abolished because of a permanent plant closing were followed for 2 years as they went through the phases of anticipation, plant closing, unemployment, and reemployment. Changes in serum cholesterol, blood pressure, body weight, cigarette smoking, and pulse rate were examined in relation to these stages of the job loss experience. In general, these indicators revealed a good deal of sensitivity to the stages, as well as to the difference in the rural-urban setting of the plants and to levels of social support. However, overall cardiovascular risk never exceeded the levels for controls and any "stress' effects were found to be self-limiting.