Growing Up with Unemployment

The transition from school to work is recognized by developmental psychologists as a significant phase in the maturation of young people. The likelihood that the transition might be delayed by a period of prolonged unemployment is now greater than at any time since the 1930s. The psychological consequences of such a delay need to be understood because they may be damaging both to the individual and to society, particularly if they are long-lasting. Such an understanding is essential for the development of sound policy in relation to youth unemployment. This book describes a major longitudinal study of a large group of South Australian school leavers through the 1980s. It assesses the scale and context of the problem and reviews the methods and theories that have been developed to study the psychological impact of unemployment. It also looks at those factors which may contribute towards helping young people cope with it, such as financial security, social support, and being involved in constructive activities with other people. The authors also examine how we might be able to predict future unemployment and understand the relationship between it and alcohol consumption.