Mind Games: The Psychological Fallout of Sudden Job Loss and Survivor Syndrome in Academia
Location
Room 232, Schewel Hall
Access Type
Open Access
Presentation Type
Oral presentation
Entry Number
2367
Start Date
4-16-2025 3:30 PM
End Date
4-16-2025 3:45 PM
School
School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department
Psychology
Keywords
Survivor syndrome, job loss, academia, mental health, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, substance use
Abstract
Financial strain often results in mass layoffs, impacting both displaced employees ("victims") and retained staff ("survivors"). As this phenomenon has become increasingly relevant in academia, a recent large-scale downsizing at a small liberal arts university provided an opportunity for real-time study. This project examined mental health outcomes among survivors, victims, and a control group unaffected by layoffs. Depression, anxiety, and stress were measured using the DASS, while substance use and sleep quality were assessed via the ASSIST and PSQI. Mental health care-seeking behavior was also analyzed. Findings are expected to show increased distress, substance use, and reduced sleep quality among both victims and survivors. Data collection concludes March 17th, offering timely insights into layoffs’ psychological effects in academia.
Primary Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Virginia Cylke
Primary Faculty Mentor(s) Department
Psychology
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Mind Games: The Psychological Fallout of Sudden Job Loss and Survivor Syndrome in Academia
Room 232, Schewel Hall
Financial strain often results in mass layoffs, impacting both displaced employees ("victims") and retained staff ("survivors"). As this phenomenon has become increasingly relevant in academia, a recent large-scale downsizing at a small liberal arts university provided an opportunity for real-time study. This project examined mental health outcomes among survivors, victims, and a control group unaffected by layoffs. Depression, anxiety, and stress were measured using the DASS, while substance use and sleep quality were assessed via the ASSIST and PSQI. Mental health care-seeking behavior was also analyzed. Findings are expected to show increased distress, substance use, and reduced sleep quality among both victims and survivors. Data collection concludes March 17th, offering timely insights into layoffs’ psychological effects in academia.