PSYCHOLOGICAL BASIS OF JOB LOSS EXPERIENCE: THEORETICAL APPROACHES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PHENOMENON

Abstract

The article is devoted to the consideration of the psychological foundations of the experience of job loss, which is considered not only as a socio-economic challenge, but also a psychological turning point that requires the individual to activate internal resources, form new adaptation strategies and support from society, family and professional psychological services. It is substantiated that a crisis is a special state or situation in which a person faces serious obstacles to the implementation of important life goals, needs or values and cannot overcome this situation using the usual methods of adaptation or behavioral strategies. It is a moment of deep internal tension when previous life mechanisms, experience and beliefs cease to function effectively. Two main types of crisis situations are analyzed. Normative (age or developmental crises), which are caused by natural changes in the natural life cycle of a person (for example, teenage, youthful, midlife crisis, etc.). Such crises are natural in nature and play an important role in the formation of the personality, contributing to the transition to a new stage of development. Non-normative (situational or traumatic crises) caused by sudden life events that go beyond the usual human experience: loss of a job, a loved one, illness, divorce, military operations, forced relocation, etc. It has been found that in a crisis situation a person faces intense physical, emotional and psychological overload. This is a natural reaction of the body to a disruption of stability and loss of a sense of control. At the same time, such tension can be both adaptive and maladaptive in nature: it either contributes to the mobilization of internal resources and the search for new ways to solve the problem, or leads to exhaustion, apathy, psychosomatic disorders and destructive behavior. It is concluded that unemployment during wartime is a powerful psychotraumatic factor that combines external (economic, social, military) and internal (emotional, cognitive, personal) influences. Overcoming it requires a comprehensive approach, including psychological support, development of stress resistance, strengthening self-esteem and rethinking life guidelines in new socio-political conditions.