Proceedings of the II International Scientific-Practical Conference "Psychology of Extreme Professions" (ISPCPEP 2019)

Coping with loneliness among shift- working extreme professionals: could a family be a coping resource during life transitions?

Authors
Tatiana Kryukova
Corresponding Author
Tatiana Kryukova
Available Online June 2019.
DOI
10.2991/ispcpep-19.2019.25How to use a DOI?
Keywords
adaptation, loneliness, сoping, extreme professionals, a family, coping resources
Abstract

The paper contains an overview of stress-coping research concerning loneliness experience (Cacioppo et al.; etc.). Stress-coping research data concerning loneliness experience is large: Cacioppo, Fowler, Christakis. Emotional deprivation, lack of a close partner and subjective loneliness are connected not only with personality traits, but also with real relationships having impact on coping choice. A new special focus is made on social-psychological determinants of loneliness in close (marital) relationships, influencing coping process. Spouses of extreme shift-work professionals are more likely to experience deprivation in partnership through regular absence of a partner/husband/wife at home (it is especially true for women). It could be mentioned that they are better understood only by others who were in the same situation. Loneliness is a great accompanying stressor in these couples, who have difficulties in coping with it. Rather often they deny it, demonstrating strong ego-defense mechanisms more than coping efforts. The aim of the study is to analyze different kinds on loneliness experience in relationships and coping with it in connection with cognitive-behavioral transition / change. It is suggested that close family relationships may be or may be not a factor of personal resource`s system of a worker. Much of the understanding of becoming and being lonely comes from qualitative research in which in-depth interviews and narratives reveal the process and dynamics of this major life transition. Method. Cognitive-emotional evaluation measures (UCLA, coping scale - CISS, Marital relationships` inventories. Samples we used are older (n1=158; av. age = 49.4) and younger spouses in ordinary and shift-workers` families (N2=84; av. age =29.1). Findings reflect the mixed results concerning whether adaptation / adjusting to shift work as a life change and the following loneliness is more difficult for men or women. Among the results there are: the lonelier a person considers oneself, the less productive coping strategies he/she adopts. More maritally satisfied and thus less lonely people use different coping with loneliness: they prefer active coping, while lonely and less satisfied with their relationships choose self-blaming and denial. Conclusion: Life changes, especially concerning extreme professional shift-work, give rise to a multi-level stress in the important spheres of job and close relations, marital included. Loneliness, hard longing for personal autonomy, emotional instability is negative outcomes in this situation. This triggers coping through cognitive-behavioral efforts, different in productivity and effectiveness. A modern family could not be a constant coping resource during life transitions.

Copyright
© 2019, the Authors. Published by Atlantis Press.
Open Access
This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).

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Volume Title
Proceedings of the II International Scientific-Practical Conference "Psychology of Extreme Professions" (ISPCPEP 2019)
Series
Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research
Publication Date
June 2019
ISBN
10.2991/ispcpep-19.2019.25
ISSN
2352-5398
DOI
10.2991/ispcpep-19.2019.25How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2019, the Authors. Published by Atlantis Press.
Open Access
This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).

Cite this article

TY  - CONF
AU  - Tatiana Kryukova
PY  - 2019/06
DA  - 2019/06
TI  - Coping with loneliness among shift- working extreme professionals: could a family be a coping resource during life transitions?
BT  - Proceedings of the II International Scientific-Practical Conference "Psychology of Extreme Professions" (ISPCPEP 2019)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 103
EP  - 106
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/ispcpep-19.2019.25
DO  - 10.2991/ispcpep-19.2019.25
ID  - Kryukova2019/06
ER  -