How to Cope with Job Loss during a Public Health Crisis? Evidence from Malaysian Job Losers
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Job losses occur globally due to economic uncertainty, public health crises such as pandemics, or other factors beyond the employee’s control. Losing one’s employment can be an overwhelming and stressful experience, which can affect psychological and emotional health. Coping strategies are important for mitigating the impact of job loss, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is more pervasive and severe than typical economic downturns due to government-imposed mobility restrictions. This study aims to examine the coping strategies adopted by Malaysian formal workers who experienced involuntary job loss, with a specific focus on how the sequence and combination of these strategies evolved amid mobility restrictions. Using a qualitative research design, in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 job losers from five sectors most affected by the pandemic in Malaysia: accommodation and food services, transportation, professional and technical services, wholesale and retail trade, and arts, entertainment, and recreation. A deductive thematic analysis, grounded in the Integrative Control Theory Model, was adopted in this study. The findings revealed that various problem-focused and symptom-focused strategies applied by Malaysian job losers were driven by the duration of unemployment and lockdowns. An “integrated mode,” or a combination of both strategies, was also found to help them navigate the experience of job loss. In addition to the duration of unemployment and lockdowns, other demographic factors such as age, ethnicity, and religion also drove the observed patterns. These findings demonstrated the specific coping strategies adopted in response to job loss, addressing a gap in existing research, which has largely focused on the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on employed individuals. The findings offer critical insights for policymakers, highlighting the importance of developing targeted interventions beyond problem-focused strategies.
DOI: 10.61211/mjqr120110
Institution: Universiti Utara Malaysia
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7165646751