ABSTRACT
Basic human needs include success in one’s ascribed and achieved social roles and a secure, stable dwelling place. Meeting these needs implies
The ability and opportunity to be creative and productive in a way that ◾ is meaningful to us and accepted by others Membership in a supportive community that values our presence ◾ and contribution Enough material supplies to maintain self-sufficiency and protection ◾ from the elements
Just as a serious change in health status threatens a person’s self-image, so does the ability to be self-supportive. Underscoring the interacting relationships among health, occupational, and general social security, many people-especially in the United States where there is no comprehensive health care system-remain in unfulfilling jobs that can literally make them sick (Illich, 1976) to keep from losing insurance coverage. If they lose their jobs, the loss of insurance as well adds to their stress, fear, and insecurity about the future. In turn, these additional stressors affect one’s health status and ability to function at precisely the time of greatest need. When occupationbased stress intersects with domestic issues, depression is not uncommon. This includes stress from overwork by people who cannot afford to build regular leisure time into their lives (Schor, 1993). A study by Barnett and Rivers (1998) reveals that people who occupy multiple roles are more resilient than workaholics, who feel most disillusioned and more easily plunge into depression if something goes wrong on the job, having placed all their eggs in one basket, so to speak. Generally, job security is the fundamental means of maintaining residential security, since housing constitutes most people’s major financial liability. The most extreme response to job loss is violence by the dismissed employee against the employer and others, a phenomenon more common in the United States than elsewhere (see Chapter 12, Aggression and Violence).
