EMPLOYMENT STATUS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ADJUSTMENT: DIFFERENCES IN ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES, EMOTIONAL REGULATION, AND HEALING

Abstract

The people (Khawaja Sira) in Pakistan are seeking formal employment, but this group is especially economically vulnerable. No published research has explored how employment may impact the psychological well-being of this population. This study seeks to find adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and emotion regulation and psychological healing, of Khawaja Sira adults employed in various ways in Pakistan. The sample (N = 200, M age = 32.8, SD = 8.9) consisted of the adults who completed Urdu-language measures of ACEs, emotion regulation, and psychological healing. The Experience of Healing Scale (EHS) was used. The overall MANOVA was significant, Wilks' Λ =.869, F (15, 530.43) = 1.85, p =.026. Post-hoc analysis revealed employment status accounted for differences in ACE burden, F (5, 194) = 2.94, p = .014, η² = .070; emotion regulation, F (5, 194) = 3.23, p = .008, η² = .077; and healing, F (5, 194) = 2.61, p = .026, η² = .063. The individuals in informal-employment status differed from those in informal-work & student status on all outcomes. The employment status based on occupation type was not significant for any outcome. The type and level of formality of employment is a key factor in the psychological adjustment & warrants further attention in both research and interventions.