(McClatchy-Tribune Information Services) -- Most workers who have lost their jobs during the recession have borrowed money from friends and family, have lost sleep and don't have health insurance, according to a Rutgers University study released today.

The survey's results suggest that the traumatized workers are unlikely to spend freely and take other financial risks that would help the economy recover.

"The financial and personal costs are very high and very widespread," said Carl Van Horn, professor and director of the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers.

Rutgers researchers in August interviewed 1,200 workers nationwide who had been jobless during the past year in what they called one of the most comprehensive scientific studies of unemployed Americans.

It came as the nation continues to struggle with the longest recession since the Great Depression. Some 6.7 million workers have lost their job since the recession began in December 2007, pushing the unemployment rate to 9.4 percent. That's the highest jobless rate since 1983.

The study found that even highly skilled, better-educated workers have been laid off. It showed workers across the demographic board are traumatized by the experience and aren't sure where to turn.

"There was no warning at all," one respondent told the researchers. "(The boss) said we'd work something out with the hours. Then I'm gone. I will be trying to start my own business, but there is no credit available.

"All the banks reduced credit lines without warning, even though all bills (were) paid on time," the respondent said. "It makes it even hard to get by."

Among the survey's findings:

60 percent lost their jobs without warning.

56 percent borrowed money from family or friends, 34 percent increased their credit-card debt, and 25 percent missed a mortgage or rent payment.

53 percent don't have health-care benefits.

The researchers said the stage is set for a mental-health epidemic; 68 percent of workers said they were depressed and 55 percent said they were angry. It has caused workers to lose sleep, put a strain on their family relations and to avoid social situations, the study found.

Looking ahead, they may avoid spending, investing, saving and taking risks that would lead to stronger economic growth, the researchers said.

"The stress . . . manifests itself in pretty unpleasant ways," said Cliff Zukin, a senior fellow at the Heldrich Center.

Copyright (c) 2009, Asbury Park Press, N.J. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.