This grounded theory study investigated the experiences of 18 middle class, middle aged men who lost long term employment because of organizational restructuring. Limited research had previously been conducted in this area and this study extends our understanding about the impact of job loss on people who have lost long term employment. The purpose of the study was to explicate the lived experiences of these men and generate an explanation and model of how they reconstructed their understanding of career following job loss from long term employment. The men's experience of job loss and how they constructed career after the loss of long term employment were explained through a dynamic and interacting four stage process model of the dissolution of career. Stage 1, establishing career, explained how the men came to understand career as a relationship. For these men, career, as a relationship, was based on trust and was comprised of reciprocal terms believed to exist between the "good employee" and the "good employer." Over time, by fulfilling the terms of reciprocity, a psychological contract was established between the men and their employers. This contract contained mutual obligations, such as, employment security in exchange for employee commitment, loyalty, hard work, and sacrifice. Stage 2, the termination of employment, revealed how the experience of job loss signified a violation of the psychological contract. The men believed they had complied with the psychological contract; however, the employer's failure to provide employment security represented a violation of the psychological contract. This violation was a highly emotional experience, tantamount to a betrayal. Although compensation could represent the employer's effort to honour the employer/employee relationship, compensation in the form of severance pay was not adequate. Stage 3, disengaging from career, signified the period of time during which the men attempted to come to terms with the loss of career. The men attempted to secure new employment in a world of work different from the world in which they had begun their careers. Although the men sought employment that promoted the employer/employee relationship of career, seeking work revealed career as they had known it was unlikely in the new world of work. Past experience and educational upgrading had little effect on their ability to secure employment. Employers favoured inexpensive labour, immediate skills, and short term working relationships with employees. Generally, the men found themselves working in unstable jobs for less money. The men who secured stable work, gained job security through union membership or self employment instead of relying on the employer/employee relationship. The men's experiences during this stage underscored the experiences of the second stage. Stage 4, the dearth of career, represented the outcome of the men's experiences of the preceding stages. Although the men maintained previous definitions of career, they stated they had lost career and that career is no longer possible in the context of the new world of work. They were less trusting of employers. They favoured a transactional orientation towards work and stressed self interest in work relationships. Whereas, career provided a major source of purpose and meaning in the past, they constructed new purpose and meaning in life by reprioritizing other relationships in their lives, that is, with self, family, and friends. One wonders, however, whether life seemed less meaningful for the men who participated in this study because they maintained their definitions of career.

This grounded theory study investigated the experiences of 18 middle class, middle aged men who lost long term employment because of organizational restructuring. Limited research had previously been conducted in this area and this study extends our understanding about the impact of job loss on people who have lost long term employment. The purpose of the study was to explicate the lived experiences of these men and generate an explanation and model of how they reconstructed their understanding of career following job loss from long term employment. The men's experience of job loss and how they constructed career after the loss of long term employment were explained through a dynamic and interacting four stage process model of the dissolution of career. Stage 1, establishing career, explained how the men came to understand career as a relationship. For these men, career, as a relationship, was based on trust and was comprised of reciprocal terms believed to exist between the "good employee" and the "good employer." Over time, by fulfilling the terms of reciprocity, a psychological contract was established between the men and their employers. This contract contained mutual obligations, such as, employment security in exchange for employee commitment, loyalty, hard work, and sacrifice. Stage 2, the termination of employment, revealed how the experience of job loss signified a violation of the psychological contract. The men believed they had complied with the psychological contract; however, the employer's failure to provide employment security represented a violation of the psychological contract. This violation was a highly emotional experience, tantamount to a betrayal. Although compensation could represent the employer's effort to honour the employer/employee relationship, compensation in the form of severance pay was not adequate. Stage 3, disengaging from career, signified the period of time during which the men attempted to come to terms with the loss of career. The men attempted to secure new employment in a world of work different from the world in which they had begun their careers. Although the men sought employment that promoted the employer/employee relationship of career, seeking work revealed career as they had known it was unlikely in the new world of work. Past experience and educational upgrading had little effect on their ability to secure employment. Employers favoured inexpensive labour, immediate skills, and short term working relationships with employees. Generally, the men found themselves working in unstable jobs for less money. The men who secured stable work, gained job security through union membership or self employment instead of relying on the employer/employee relationship. The men's experiences during this stage underscored the experiences of the second stage. Stage 4, the dearth of career, represented the outcome of the men's experiences of the preceding stages. Although the men maintained previous definitions of career, they stated they had lost career and that career is no longer possible in the context of the new world of work. They were less trusting of employers. They favoured a transactional orientation towards work and stressed self interest in work relationships. Whereas, career provided a major source of purpose and meaning in the past, they constructed new purpose and meaning in life by reprioritizing other relationships in their lives, that is, with self, family, and friends. One wonders, however, whether life seemed less meaningful for the men who participated in this study because they maintained their definitions of career. / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate

本研究是一項關於北京中年抑鬱症患者主觀經驗的敘事分析。研究的目的在於探尋患者對於自身患病歷程的主觀詮釋，他們的服務需求以及對於中國大陸精神衛生社會工作進行反思。研究的參與對象為目的性抽樣所得到的來自北京的一個抑鬱癥自助團體的八名中年抑鬱癥患者。 / 患者回顧了他們不同階段的經歷：發病期、住院期以及康復期。然後他們對於這些經歷做了詮釋。基於不同領域的社會服務需求，對於醫院、社區、大眾傳媒以及政府，他們都給出了寶貴的意見。 / 研究發現，既有的理論觀點對於關著對自身經歷的詮釋有著重要的影響，尤其是生物醫學模型。認知觀點和性別觀點也可以在患者們的敘事中找到蹤跡。精神科醫生在患者的整個經歷中都處於重要的地位，他們的觀點和行為對患者也產生了重要的影響。 / 患者還受到社會和歷史因素的影響。他們的詮釋會受到社會觀念和文化價值的影響，比如命運、面子、孝順以及性別角色等等。而歷史事件諸如文化大革命以及天安門事件也會對他們的人生經歷以及他們的主觀詮釋造成影響。而中國目前的社會情境也是另一項重要的影響因素。 / 從他們的故事中，我們可以看到，最重要的主題就是他們在患病過程中認知模式的轉變，包括對待抑鬱癥本身，所接受的服務以及自身的看法。在他們的敘述中，另外兩個主題也是非常值得注意的，那就是和抑鬱症有關的“喪失以及醫院裡非人道的治療方式。 / 他們的故事為我們對於北京中年抑鬱症患者經歷的理解提供了非常豐富詳實的材料。這些發現對於知識理論的發展、政策的制定以及針對抑鬱症患者的臨床社會工作實踐都有著很大的啟示。整個社會以及不同領域的精神衛生專業人士都應該攜起手來幫助他們，共同去創造一個更加包容和諧的社會。 / This research was a narrative analysis of the subjective experiences of the depressed middle-aged adults in Beijing, China. The purposes of the research were to explore the clients’ subjective interpretation of their lived experience of depression, their service needs and reflect on the improvement of mental health social work in Mainland China. A purposive sample of eight depressed clients from a self-help group in a mental health hospital in Beijing participated in this study. / The clients talked about their experiences at different stages: the onset, in the hospital and the rehabilitation, and interpreted their experiences. They also gave some advice to the hospital, the community, the mass media and the government based on their social service needs. / The theoretical perspectives influenced the clients’ interpretations of their experiences, especially the biomedical model. The cognitive perspective and the gender perspective could also be found in the client’s narratives. The psychiatrists were very important in the whole process of the clients’ experiences. Their perspectives and behaviors also influenced the clients. / It is found that the clients were also influenced by social and historical factors. Their interpretations were affected by social beliefs and cultural values such as fate, face, filial piety and gender roles. The historical events such as Cultural Revolution and June.4th Movement also affected their experiences and interpretations. The current social context in China was another important factor affecting them. / From their stories, we could see that the main theme was change of their cognitive styles, including view of depression, service and themselves. Another two themes were highlighted in their narratives as well: the linkage of their losses with depression and the dehumanized treatment in the hospital. / Their stories have provided comprehensive materials for an in-depth understanding of depressed middle-aged adults in Beijing. Based on the findings, recommendations are made to knowledge development, policymakers and clinical social workers in helping the depressed clients. It is necessary for our society and mental health professionals in different areas to work together to help them and build an inclusive society. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Shi, Song. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 228-245). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts and appendixes also in Chinese. / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Rationale of the study --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Background of the study --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Research Questions --- p.3 / Chapter 1.4 --- Purposes and significance of the research --- p.4 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Literature Review --- p.7 / Chapter 2.1 --- Adult depression --- p.7 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Definition of adults’ depression --- p.7 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Different perspectives on “depression“ --- p.9 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Social factors associated with adult depression --- p.24 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Cultural influences in Chinese society --- p.32 / Chapter 2.2 --- Treatment of depressed adults --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Psychotherapy --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Medication --- p.38 / Chapter 2.3 --- Research on subjective experiences of people with mental disorders --- p.39 / Chapter 2.4 --- Research on depression in Mainland China --- p.48 / Chapter 2.5 --- The roles of social work in mental health services --- p.51 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Research Methodology --- p.58 / Chapter 3.1 --- Paradigmatic Considerations --- p.58 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Social constructionism --- p.58 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Social construction and mental illness --- p.61 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Theoretical Framework --- p.63 / Chapter 3.2 --- Research Design --- p.70 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Qualitative research strategy --- p.70 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Sampling strategies --- p.75 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Data collection procedures --- p.84 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Data analysis procedures --- p.86 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Strategies for validating findings --- p.88 / Chapter 3.3 --- Ethical issues --- p.91 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Research findings --- p.93 / Chapter 4.1 --- The experiences of the participants --- p.93 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- The experience during the onset of depression --- p.94 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- The experience in hospital --- p.118 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- The experience in the rehabilitation period --- p.131 / Chapter 4.2 --- The interpretation of their experiences --- p.142 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- The interpretation of the process of suffering from depression --- p.143 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- The interpretation of the process of recovery --- p.148 / Chapter 4.3 --- Advice on their needs --- p.154 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- The hospital --- p.154 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- The community --- p.159 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Mass media --- p.161 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- The government --- p.164 / Chapter 4.4 --- Summary --- p.170 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Discussion and Recommendation --- p.171 / Chapter 5.1 --- Characteristics of the participants in this study --- p.171 / Chapter 5.2 --- Social and historical factors affecting the clients’ interpretation of suffering from depression --- p.173 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Social beliefs and cultural values --- p.174 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Social context --- p.183 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Historical events --- p.184 / Chapter 5.3 --- Themes --- p.186 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Change of Cognitive Style --- p.187 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- The linkage of loss with depression --- p.190 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- The dehumanized treatment of hospitalization --- p.193 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- The interrelationships among the themes --- p.195 / Chapter 5.4 --- Revisiting the proposed conceptual framework --- p.197 / Chapter 5.5 --- Significance and recommendations --- p.200 / Chapter 5.5.1 --- Significance and recommendations --- p.201 / Chapter 5.5.2 --- Limitations --- p.214 / Chapter Appendix A: --- Possible Probes for interview (English Version & Chinese Version) --- p.218 / Chapter Appendix B: --- Oral Consent form (English Version & Chinese version) --- p.225 / References --- p.228