Work, love, and death thought accessibility: a terror management investigation

Citation

McCabe S & Daly M (2018) Work, love, and death thought accessibility: a terror management investigation. British Journal of Social Psychology, 57 (4), pp. 754-772. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjso.12258

Abstract
Terror management theory suggests that following culturally derived scripts for valued behaviour protects people from death concerns, and conversely, not meeting standards for cultural value can weaken this protection, heightening mortality concerns. Using this conceptual framework we examine (1) how considerations of loss of employment, a source of cultural value for many, relates to the accessibility of death-related cognition, and (2) the moderating role of job market health and (3) involvement in close relationships. Study 1 found that writing about being unemployed (vs. a control topic) led to greater mortality-related cognition. Study 2 found that considering unemployment heightened death-cognition, but only when participants were led to perceive the job market as unhealthy. Finally, Study 3 found that considering unemployment led to greater death-cognition, but not for those involved in a close relationship. Findings offer insight into a previously overlooked consequence of unemployment, and factors that may serve a protective function.

Keywords
unemployment; terror management; death thought accessibility; close relationship; existential psychology

Journal
British Journal of Social Psychology: Volume 57, Issue 4