"La vergogna di essere esclusi". Ricerca e intervento sugli aspetti psicologici della disoccupazione

This contribution deals with the impact of socio-economic crisis on the sense of vulnerability and self-esteem of unemployed people. The project represents collaboration among Tuscan Local Authorities, the Public Health Service, a Psychological Association (ILEX), and the Florence Department of Psycology. First, qualitative methods were used to explore the relationship between unemployment and workers’ psychological well-being. Focus group discussions involved key informants committed to trade unions. The results revealed a need for social support, the congruence between work and social identity, the meaning of psychological aspects of unemployment, and the impact of disempowerment. Psychological support groups have been realized, to help unemployees deal with trauma following job loss and perceived shame, which often may lead to feeelings of depression and helplessness.