Lived Experiences of Women Over 50 Who Have Experienced Involuntary Job Loss

208 Pages·2015·1.64 MB·English

Walden University
ScholarWorks
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Collection
2015
Lived Experiences of Women Over 50 Who Have
Experienced Involuntary Job Loss
Roxine Denise Phillips
Walden University
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Walden University

College of Management and Technology

This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by

Roxine Phillips

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,
and that any and all revisions required by
the review committee have been made.

Review Committee
Dr. Judith Forbes, Committee Chairperson, Management Faculty
Dr. Carol Wells, Committee Member, Management Faculty
Dr. Janice Spangenburg, University Reviewer, Management Faculty

Chief Academic Officer
Eric Riedel, Ph.D.

Walden University
2015
Abstract
Lived Experiences of Women Over 50 Who Have Experienced Involuntary Job Loss
by
Roxine Phillips

MS, Johns Hopkins University, 2002
BS, Notre Dame of Maryland University, 1996

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Management

Walden University
November 2015
Abstract
Both the short-term and long-term unemployment rates for older workers in the United
States have increased significantly since the 2007 recession. Researchers who examine
the impact of involuntary job loss have predominantly focused on the experiences of
men. Limited prior research exists on the job loss experiences of women over 50 years of
age compared to men. The goal of this study was to address this gap in knowledge by
examining the lived experiences of women over 50 who had experienced involuntary job
loss, the barriers faced to reemployment, and the ways women overcame the barriers to
reemployment. A phenomenological design was employed to gather data from a
convenience sample of 10 women in a northeastern metropolitan city. Guided by the
frameworks of Bandura and Leana and Feldman, this transcendental approach aimed to
capture the lived experiences of the women who incurred involuntary job loss. Data
transcribed from audio-taped interviews were manually coded and aligned with the
appropriate research question. The findings highlighted the emotions, finances, family
and social life of women following job loss. The findings suggest women faced age
discrimination, organizational practices, technological challenges, and stereotypical
beliefs in their attempts toward reemployment. The results of the study can be used to
inform organizational leaders of the need for greater emphasis on programs offering
solutions to older female workers seeking reemployment. The study promotes potential
positive social change by informing organizational leaders of the experiences of women
over 50 who had experienced involuntary job loss.
Lived Experiences of Women Over 50 Who Have Experienced Involuntary Job Loss
by
Roxine Phillips

MS, Johns Hopkins University, 2002
BS, Notre Dame of Maryland University, 1996

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Management

Walden University
November 2015
Dedication
I dedicate this dissertation to God, my friends and family, specifically my
husband Harold, who stuck by me and encouraged me during this entire dissertation
journey. The love of God and the support and encouragement of my friends and family
made this great accomplishment possible. I am forever grateful for the participation of the
Workforce Career Centers and the participants in this study who willing shared their
stories.
Acknowledgments
A special thank you to my committee chair, Dr. Judith Forbes, my committee
member, Dr. Carol Wells, and University Reviewer, Dr. Janice Spangenburg, for your
guidance and support throughout this dissertation process. I especially thank my coach
Dr. Kat Malinsky for her guidance, encouragement and the confidence she instilled in
me. Many thanks to my friends Dr. Raymond Holmes and Dr. Frederick French who
inspired and encouraged me to keep moving forward in the dissertation process. Special
thanks to Toni Williams, for your expertise in the review and editing of my dissertation.
Finally, I am so thankful for the encouragement and continuous support of Pastor Stephen
L. Thomas, Sr. and his lovely wife, Natalie Thomas, who always had an encouraging
word. Each of you was instrumental in my growth and development throughout this
dissertation journey.
Table of Contents
List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v
List of Figures .................................................................................................................... vi
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1
Background of the Study ...............................................................................................9
Problem Statement .......................................................................................................14
Purpose of the Study ....................................................................................................15
Research Questions ......................................................................................................15
Theoretical Foundation ................................................................................................16
Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................21
Definitions....................................................................................................................22
Assumptions .................................................................................................................24
Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................24
Limitations ...................................................................................................................25
Significance of the Study .............................................................................................25
Summary ......................................................................................................................26
Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................27
Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................28
Theoretical Foundation ................................................................................................28
Economic Recession ....................................................................................................32
Impact of Economic Recession ....................................................................................33
Experiences of Involuntary Job Loss ...........................................................................39
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Financial ................................................................................................................ 40
Emotional .............................................................................................................. 43
Psychosocial .......................................................................................................... 46
Barriers to Reemployment ...........................................................................................48
Ways to Overcome Barriers to Reemployment ...........................................................52
The Gap ........................................................................................................................56
Summary and Conclusions ..........................................................................................62
Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................64
Research Design...........................................................................................................65
Research Questions ............................................................................................... 65
Research Approach ............................................................................................... 65
Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................73
Methodology ................................................................................................................74
Participant Selection ............................................................................................. 74
Instrumentation ..................................................................................................... 79
Expert Panel Review ............................................................................................. 81
Pilot Test ............................................................................................................... 83
Recruitment ........................................................................................................... 84
Data Collection ..................................................................................................... 85
Data Analysis ........................................................................................................ 86
Trustworthiness ............................................................................................................89
Ethical Procedures ................................................................................................ 90
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Summary ......................................................................................................................91
Chapter 4: Results ..............................................................................................................92
Expert Panel Review ....................................................................................................93
Pilot Test ......................................................................................................................94
Setting. .........................................................................................................................96
Demographics ..............................................................................................................96
Data Collection ............................................................................................................98
Data Analysis .............................................................................................................101
Evidence of Trustworthiness......................................................................................103
Results. .......................................................................................................................104
Research Question 1 ........................................................................................... 105
Research Question 2 ........................................................................................... 112
Research Question 3 ........................................................................................... 119
Research Question 4 ........................................................................................... 124
Summary ....................................................................................................................129
Chapter 5: Summary, Conclusions, and Further Research ..............................................130
Summary of the Findings ...........................................................................................134
Interpretation of Findings ..........................................................................................136
Research Question 1 ........................................................................................... 138
Research Question 2 ........................................................................................... 139
Research Question 3 ........................................................................................... 140
Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations of the Study .......................................141
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