Effects of Job Loss on Self-esteem - Focusing on Gender Difference -

Abstract

Previous research indicates that self-esteem tends to vary by both gender and employment status. As few studies empirically tested the relationships between job loss and self-esteem, however, little is known about the effects of job loss on self-esteem. Much less is known about whether the effects of job loss on self-esteem vary by gender. In order to address the gaps in previous research, the current study aims to examine whether the effects of job loss on self-esteem vary by gender through testing (1) whether self-esteem varies by gender, (2) whether the effect of job loss on self-esteem is significant, and (3) whether the effects of job loss on self-esteem vary by gender. We used data from both 7th and 8th waves of the Korean Welfare Panel Study. Sample consists of 5,387(males: 3,044 and females: 2,343) individuals in labor force population as of 7th wave. Controlling for self-esteem in Wave 7, regression analyses were done not only to examine the main effects of both gender and job loss but also the interaction effects between gender and job loss on self-esteem in Wave 8. Major findings are as follows. (1) Females presented higher levels of self-esteem than males. (2) Those who were continuously employed presented higher levels of self-esteem than those who lost their jobs. (3) The effects of job loss on self-esteem varied by gender, indicating males who lost their jobs presented much lower levels of self-esteem than their female counterparts. Based on these findings, implications and future research directions are discussed.