Date Presented

Spring 5-18-2025

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Dr. Virginia Cylke

Second Advisor

Mr. Dylan Elliott

Third Advisor

Dr. Rachel Willis

Abstract

Layoffs in academia are an emerging concern with growing consequences for faculty and staff. While much is known about the effects of downsizing in corporate contexts, academic institutions differ substantially in structure, mission, and workplace dynamics, creating the potential for the psychological impact of layoffs in these environments to be uniquely severe. This study addresses a notable gap in the literature by examining how mass layoffs affect both victims (those laid off) and survivors (those who remain) in academic settings. Participants were university faculty and staff from two small liberal arts colleges in the southeastern U.S., divided into three groups: control (no layoff experience) (n = 12), survivors (n = 25), and victims (n = 6). All participants completed validated scales measuring depression, anxiety, stress, sleep quality, and substance use, along with questions assessing care-seeking behaviors. One-way ANOVAs and post hoc tests were used to assess group differences. Results revealed that survivors reported significantly higher levels of stress and anxiety compared to controls and victims. Sedative use was also notably higher among victims, and care-seeking behaviors were most frequent among survivors. These findings suggest that remaining employed after a layoff may result in greater psychological strain than losing one’s job, possibly due to survivor syndrome, increased workload, and job insecurity. Additionally, the reluctance of victims to participate (as noted by the small n) may indicate fear of retaliation, pointing to long-term effects on trust and openness in academic communities. This study provides critical early data on the psychological outcomes of downsizing in higher education and highlights the urgent need for targeted mental health support and institutional accountability during organizational restructuring.

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