Survey Finds Unemployed 'Traumatized'

The recession has left many jobless workers struggling to cope with the psychological stress, a new study finds. Researchers at Rutgers University said the financial strain that comes with being out of work, combined with the daunting task of seeking new employment in a difficult job market, has left many Americans "traumatized." "Psychologically, it's a world of hurt out there for the jobless," the lead researcher told the AP.

The survey of 1,200 Americans unemployed and searching for work found that two-thirds reported being depressed, while just 40% received unemployment insurance. Half of those surveyed said they had no health coverage. More than half said they have borrowed money from friends or relatives. A quarter said they have skipped mortgage or rent payments.
"The jobless have had to face the fact that their old jobs, incomes, and work identity are gone," said one of the researchers. (More unemployment stories.)