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This psychiatric investigation of one hundred eighty families was undertaken to determine the effects of a prolonged period of unemployment on 'normal' people. The procedure consisted of interviews and home visits.
The families selected were of a low income group, politically conservative and, as far as could be established, free from emotional tensions. A definite age group was chosen for physical and psychological reasons.
It was found that the emotional effect of unemployment was traumatic in character, comparable to the loss of love which a rejected child feels. The first reaction was usually fear and bewilderment which turned into discouragement, defeat, and a loss of self-confidence.
The only evidence of protest was manifested in a changed religious attitude in some of the clients. No regressive behavior could be observed nor was there an increase in drinking or crime, with the possible exception of occasional petty cheating which afforded some ego gratification. A protective layer of 'not thinking' seemed to have developed as a defense reaction against reality.