"Arbetslöshetssjukan"
en kvalitativ studie av arbetsförmedlares upplevelse av arbetslösas mående
UnemploymentEmployment officeShameEmotionsBengt StarrinSocial sciencesSamhällsvetenskaperSocial changesTheory of social workSociala förändringarTeorier om socialt arbeteSocial problems and welfareNational insuranceSociala problemSocial välfärdSocialförsäkringSocial SciencesLaw and Political Science
The purpose of this study was to examine how the personnel of the Employment Office in Malmoe interpret the emotional situation and health of unemployed individuals. We also wanted to examine if and how the personnel work with these aspects. In relation to this we found it very interesting how the personnel dealt with the responsibilities of power, hierarchy and how subordination afflicts the unemployed. Our main questions were: Are the previous studies results confirmed by the response the personnel of the Employment Office give about the difficult situation among unemployed individuals? Which factors do the personnel at the Employment Office consider the main causes of negative emotional situations among the unemployed? How do the personnel deal with the emotions of the unemployed? How does the important responsibilities of power affect the relationship between the personnel and the unemployed? Which effects/impacts from current political changes are the personnel able to see on the situation of the unemployed? We interviewed eight people working at the Employment Office in Malmoe. To analyse the interviews we used sociological theories about emotions and shame. Our main conclusion was that the emotional situation of the unemployed got worse the longer they were unemployed. Feelings like shame, guilt and low self-esteem arose among the unemployed. Factors that affected the situation were for example the age, sex, social and cultural situation of the unemployed. These were also examples of factors that can be seen as a "status shield", in other words factors that protect the individual from the negative effects of unemployment. The personnel did not have enough resources to be able to work with the emotional aspects of the unemployed, but they did think that it was important to take into account the emotions and health of the unemployed in order to give proper service.