In this research project the research participants and I embarked on a journey through the "desert" of unemployment. I was introduced to the research participants at Jacob's Well, a ministry for people "between jobs" The effects of unemployment on a male's identity were explored, as well as the pastoral response of caregivers to people "between jobs". A phenomenological study was undertaken in which interviews with the participants formed the basis of the research. The structured section of the interviews was guided by the research questions, but the largest part of the interviews was about the participants' personal journeys "between jobs." The role of a ministry like Jacob's Well, catering for people "between jobs", was highlighted and recommendations for practical theology and pastoral praxis were made. / Practical Theolgy / M.Th. (Practical Theology with specialiisation in Pastoral Therapy)

Liong Chan-ching Mario. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 72-79). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgement --- p.iv / Table of Contents --- p.v / List of Tables --- p.vii / List of Figures --- p.ix / Chapter Chapter One --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter Two --- Literature Review --- p.3 / Mental Health Deterioration in Unemployment Process / Is Unemployment Status Responsible for the Mental Health Deterioration / Masculine Gender Role Worsens Mental Health During Unemployment / Chapter Chapter Three --- Objectives and Hypotheses --- p.9 / Objective and Significance of the Present Study / Variables and Factors in the Study / Hypotheses / Chapter Chapter Four --- Methodology --- p.12 / Participants / Procedures / Questionnaire / Chapter Chapter Five --- Results --- p.20 / Operationalizaing Socio-economic Status and Financial Responsibility / Exploratory Factor Analysis on Gender Role Conflict Scale / Psychological Variables / Internal Consistencies of the Scales Used / "Intercorrelations Among Demographic Variables, Psychological Variables, and Psychological Distress" / Hierarchical Multiple Regression / Chapter Chapter Six --- Discussion --- p.63 / Gender Role Conflict in Action / Limitations and Further Studies / Implications and Suggestions / Conclusion / Bibliography --- p.72 / Appendix Questionnaire Used in the Present Study --- p.80