title: Mitigating Physiological Responses to Layoff Threat: An Experimental Test of the Efficacy of Two Coping Interventions.
abstract: The purpose of the current study was to assess real-time physiological reactions to the threat of layoffs and to determine whether the use of an emotion-focused vs. problem-focused coping intervention would be more efficacious in attenuating these physiological reactions. A 2 (coping intervention) × 4 (within-subjects time points) mixed experimental design was used to test the hypotheses. Eighty-four undergraduates participated in this laboratory experiment during which their galvanic skin response (GSR) and heart rate (HR) were continuously monitored. Analyses indicate that individuals instructed to utilize an emotion-focused coping strategy experienced a significantly greater decline in their GSR compared to those utilizing the problem-focused coping method. Results suggest organizations conducting layoffs might focus first on dealing with the emotional aftermath of downsizing before focusing on problem-solving tasks, such as resume writing and other traditional outplacement activities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Washington State University Vancouver, 14204 NE Salmon Creek Ave., Vancouver, WA 98686, USA. probst@wsu.edu.
authors.forename: Tahira M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Probst
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, 800 Algoma Blvd., Oshkosh, WI 54901, USA. jiangl@uwosh.edu.
authors.forename: Lixin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015146:Midwestern United States; D020415:Personnel Downsizing / Q000523:psychology*; D011340:Problem Solving; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: anticipated job loss; emotion-focused coping; expressive writing; galvanic skin response; problem-focused coping