A COMPARISON OF EMPLOYED AND UNEMPLOYED LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS WOMEN ACROSS SEVERAL CRITICAL VARIABLES
Abstract
This study investigated differences on several variables between employed and unemployed lower socioeconomic status (SES) women. Further, the study investigated the impact of a Job Readiness (JR) program, conducted by the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) program, for its participants on the same variables. Dependent measures for this study were self-esteem, life stress, locus of control, assertiveness, and divorce/separation or relationship adjustment. The sample consisted of 18 unemployed women seeking the services of CETA, and 24 lower SES factory women employed for at least two years. Instruments chosen to measure the dependent variables were administered to subjects at two points: immediately before the CETA subjects began JR (pretest 2), and immediately following JR. To control for the effect of other CETA program components (work experience, counseling, adult basic education) on test results, seven CETA women were measured six weeks prior to JR (pretest 1). Results showed no significant changes (p < .05) in the seven CETA participants between pretest 1 and 2. At pretest 2, the factory women and CETA women were comparable on all demographic variables with the exception of formal education. Factory women had completed significantly more schooling (p < .05). In addition, at pretest 2, the factory women were significantly more internally controlled than the CETA women (p < .05). The CETA women were significantly more internally controlled after JR (p < .005). One unexpected result centered around two CETA program components other than JR. A significant relationship was found (p < .05) between negative self esteem and participation in work experience, and between positive self-esteem and participation in adult basic education. Results indicate that participation in CETA can have an impact on locus of control which may contribute to employment stability. It also suggests a need for further exploration of the impact of CETA's program components, and for further within SES group investigations.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Academic guidance counseling
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