Dissertation, Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg, 2024

Unemployment is a widespread phenomenon and issue in many modern societies. It affects the lives of individuals psychologically, socially, and economically, as well as their social environment and society as a whole. Although there is research on the impact of unemployment on well-being, indicating negative impact, it often focuses on the general population without taking young people into focus. From a life course perspective, young people are particularly affected by unemployment during the school-to-work transition, which is seen as a central stage in the life course. Although previous research on the consequences of unemployment on the well-being of young people also indicates negative effects on well-being, the causal structures, and underlying mechanisms in this relationship between youth unemployment and well-being are not yet fully understood.

This thesis provides insights into the subjective well-being of young unemployed people and their complex coping strategies. It examines the effects of unemployment on the well-being of young people in Germany from their subjective perspective and how they deal with their situation in terms of well-being. This qualitative research approach contributes to the field of research by identifying reasons why and how well-being may be impaired, by clarifying the role that the coping process and related support options or resources from family, friends, and the state play for well-being during unemployment. The study is based on 45 qualitative interviews with young people between the ages of 18 and 30 from different German federal states who were unemployed at the time of the interview or had been unemployed in the past.

The results are generally in line with previous research on youth unemployment, indicating a negative effect on young people’s well-being. However, the subject matter appears to be inherently complex and emphasizes the need for a differentiated approach, given the existence of variations between the cases. The results demonstrate the heterogeneity within the group of young people with unemployment experience and the heterogeneity of the effects of unemployment on well-being. The individual causes of well-being or its impairment are complex. Coping mechanisms and support opportunities, e.g., resources provided by social relations or the state, are crucial factors for young people’s well-being during unemployment and can reduce the negative effects on well-being or improve well-being. The findings also indicate that the experience of unemployment (and its consequences on well-being) and coping with the situation is a process and can change over time. The results show that it is crucial to pay attention to individual cases and to consider the whole context (social, institutional) when addressing well-being and coping. This is particularly important for understanding the situation of the young unemployed and providing appropriate support. The findings of this study provide new starting points and ideas for further research.