Multiply-divorced job hoppers presenting as psychiatric patients

Six cases are described of multiply-divorced job hoppers presenting as psychiatric patients. Following a finding by Vaillant and Milofsky (1980) in their study of the life cycle of inner-city males, a relationship is suggested in the sample of six between marital and job instability. While the six showed a capacity for the intimacy of marriage and the demands of work, they showed an inability to persevere in these demanding relationships. It is speculated that their failure to persevere in difficult, demanding relationships placed them at special risk to become psychiatric casualties.