Final answer:
Survivors of layoffs are better able to distance themselves when they have better mental health and coping skills, and psychosocial support from their organization plays a critical role in their ability to manage the situation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Research suggests that survivors of layoffs are more able to distance themselves from their layoff when they are healthier, better able to cope, and are less depressed than those who have an external locus of control. Psychological resilience helps in managing the stress associated with layoffs, and a strong internal locus of control can be a protective factor against the emotional toll of such events. Moreover, industrial-organizational psychologists highlight the importance of organizational support for retained employees, which can mitigate negative outcomes like intent to quit and job insecurity.
In the context of businesses reacting to poor conditions by downsizing, the adverse selection of wage cuts argument describes the tendency of more employable workers to leave rather than accept lower wages, leading firms to opt for layoffs instead. The process of adjusting to layoffs is complex and can involve a ripple effect within the job market, reiterating the frictional unemployment occurring as a result of dynamic economic changes.