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

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