Fostering Financial Independence Self‐Efficacy in AFDC Recipients Participating in a Vocational Training Program

Abstract

Participants in this study were 183 recipients of Aid to Families With Dependent Children who were referred to Hawaii's Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Program. The systematic employment of four methods for changing self-efficacy resulted in significant changes in participants' financial independence self-efficacy over a relatively short time.It has been predicted that by the year 2000 the majority of those falling below the poverty level will be women and their dependent children (Hewlett, 1986). Even now women are the heads of the majority of families with children that fall below the poverty level (Bradley, 1987). There are several factors that contribute to women and their children constituting the majority of those below the poverty level. One simple factor is the earning power of a family with only one adult wage earner. It has been found that women experience a significant reduction in financial stability as a consequence of divorce (Bradley, 1987).The problems that women who are heads of households face in terms of self-sufficiency and independence are numerous. Wood (1989) suggested that motivation is impaired when women perceive that their efforts at obtaining employment are futile and they subsequently do not attempt to get into the job market. Professionals

Testing the Validity and Reliability of the Perceived Employability Scale (PES) Among a Culturally Diverse Population

“…The test designers directed particular attention toward selecting test items that were tailored to evaluate issues, concerns, and needs commonly associated with low-income adults whose career development had been delayed for many reasons (Houser, D'Andrea, & Daniels, 1992). The PES comprises items that were specifically designed to measure a person's belief in their ability to accomplish numerous career -related tasks including one's ability to "Gain jobrelated information," "Get along with co-workers," "Plan ahead one year for my future," "Complete a training program if necessary to obtain a job," and "Find a job/career that fits my needs, abilities, and interests.…”

Counseling Psychology and Welfare Reform

“…Additionally, researchers should evaluate the validity of existing vocational and counseling research by reexamining this research in the context of the welfare-to-work transition. For example, Houser, D'Andrea, and Daniels (1992) explored the effectiveness of a motivation training program on improving AFDC recipient's financial independence selfefficacy. Another study examined the development of work identity in welfare recipients engaged in an employment training program (Riemer, 1995).…”