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Page: << Prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | Next >> To measure perceptions of job security, questions included: "If you wanted to stay in your present job, what are the chances you could keep it for the next two years?"
About 18 percent said they felt insecure about their jobs at some point. About 5 percent of participants in the first survey and 3 percent in the second survey reported feeling anxious over the long term.
American workers rely on their jobs for income, health insurance and retirement income, so it's no surprise that worries about losing a job would take a toll.
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Yet, for some who are still employed but aren't sure for how long, an inability to take action until the job loss actually occurs and the lack of institutionalized supports for perceived insecurity may make coping more difficult.
In the study, researchers controlled for neuroticism, race, marital status, education and job characteristics, including self-employment.
"By no means am I trying to belittle the stress of job loss," Burgard said. "But the negative anticipation of an event can be more stressful than the event itself. People feel they have the sword of Damocles hanging over their head, but they can't exert any control over the situation."
To deal with ongoing job insecurity, Burgard recommended trying to stick to a healthy lifestyle, such as eating right, exercising, seeing your doctor and utilizing other stress-reduction techniques.
Making a household budget, getting debt under control, preparing a resume and exploring other job options can also help. And use employer-sponsored health insurance while you have it, the researchers suggested.
"Part of the problem is the feeling of powerlessness," Burgard said. "Taking action, to the extent that it's possible, can help make people feel they have at least some control over a really difficult situation."
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