A Multisample Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Short Employment Hope Scale (EHS-14)

Psychological and economic self-sufficiency among low-income jobseekers with physical disability barriers

“…Instead of neutralizing the effect of jobseekers' perceived employment barrier, hope reinforced its effect to further impact ESS. It is possible that, for individuals with the physical disability barrier, PEBS could be reflecting the degree to which one recognizes and accepts existing barriers as such as opposed to the degree to which they are present in their lives (Hong, Polanin and Choi, 2014). The former would indicate an empowered state as one comes to understand the reality of one's employment landscape, bearing in mind a host of employment barriers that inhibit opportunities to enter the labor market.…”

“…In recent years, scholars have begun to hone in more formally on role of hope in employment-not simply for people with disabilities, but for all people (Hong, Polanin and Pigott, 2012;Hong, Choi and Polanin, 2014). In the acknowledgement of individual differences and strengths among jobseekers, there is a growing body of literature suggesting that attitudinal variables interact more prominently with situational variables in the employment process than previously assumed.…”

“…This study defines employment hope as a psychologically transformative process in which one becomes psychologically empowered and motivated for future and makes progress toward goals by utilizing skills and resources (Hong, Sheriff and Naeger, 2009). This study uses the Short Employment Hope Scale (EHS-14) (Hong and Choi, 2013;Hong, Choi and Polanin, 2014), which consists of four factors and 14-item items-(i) psychological empowerment (4 items), (ii) futuristic self-motivation (2 items), (iii) utilization of skills and resources (4 items), and (iv) goal orientation (4 items).…”

“…Hong, Sheriff and Naeger (2009) asserted that a bottom-up definition of self-sufficiency relates more to inner strength and positive future outlook than to measurable economic security. The Employment Hope Scale was developed as a measure used to capture psychological empowerment and goal-oriented pathway-self-worth, self-perceived capability, futuristic self-motivation, utilization of skills and resources, and goal orientation-as jobseekers pursuing employment opportunities (Hong, Polanin and Pigott, 2012;Hong and Choi, 2013;Hong, Choi and Polanin, 2014).…”

“…Survey data are used from participants in a job readiness training program at the Chicago Urban League, a social service agency in the Chicago Metropolitan Area. Based on PSS as a theoretical framework (Hong, 2013)-using specific features of the Perceived Employment Barriers Scale (PEBS; and Employment Hope Scale (EHS; Hong, 2012;Hong, Choi and Polanin, 2014)-it is hypothesized that perceived employment barrier negatively affects the level of employment hope and employment hope positively contributes to ESS. The study aims to provide implications for empowerment-based rehabilitation counseling and employment support services for those with physical disability barriers.…”