A study of anger among unemployed workers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was: (1) to measure and compare the differences in the levels of anger in unemployed workers who have been laid off due to company or plant closure and unemployed workers who have been laid off due to a reduction in force (RIF) and (2) to compare the relationship between level of anger and length of time with an employer prior to layoff. The population for this study consisted of 52 male and female adults over 21 years of age, residents of Arizona, who had been laid off or had received advance notification of impending layoff. The State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) was the instrument used in this study to measure levels of anger. Additionally, two demographic questions were asked concerning reason for layoff and number of years with the company that laid the individual off. None of the hypotheses were supported by the data. Discussion, implications, and recommendations for further research are also presented.