The relationship between core self-evaluations, employment commitment and well-being in the unemployed

Abstract

We surveyed 173 unemployed adults and assessed their levels of core self-evaluations (self-efficacy, self-esteem, neuroticism, control), employment commitment, and psychological well-being. Three hypotheses were tested: (a) that higher self-esteem and self-efficacy, lower neuroticism and greater perceptions of control would be positively related to well-being; (b) that employment commitment would account for additional variance over and above that accounted for by the core self-evaluation variables; and (c) length of unemployment would moderate the relationship between employment commitment and well-being. Self-esteem, neuroticism and control were related to well-being in the expected direction. In support of incongruence theory, employment commitment contributed unique variance. Further, the relationship between employment commitment and well-being was contingent on length of unemployment, with those unemployed longer being disproportionately disadvantaged when employment commitment was high. The study demonstrated the value of considering dispositional characteristics when examining the well-being of unemployed people; and demonstrated direct support for the incongruence model by showing that employment commitment was unrelated to core self-evaluations and was differentially related to well-being in unemployed people, depending on their period of unemployment.

Factors Influencing the Ability to Achieve Valued Outcomes among Older Long-Term Unemployed People

“…In sum, long-term unemployed people differ in the outcomes that they value and in the ability to achieve their valued outcomes, the value attributed to paid employment being crucial in experiencing these valued outcomes. This finding is congruent with studies by Creed, Lehmann, and Hood (2009), Hollederer (2015) and Paul and Moser (2006), who all found that high levels of employment commitment lead to lower levels of well-being in unemployed people. As a consequence, people who are willing to work but are expected to have low chances of re-employment seem to be especially at risk of health deprivation.…”

Factors Influencing the Ability to Achieve Valued Outcomes among Older Long-Term Unemployed People

“…In sum, long-term unemployed people differ in the outcomes that they value and in the ability to achieve their valued outcomes, the value attributed to paid employment being crucial in experiencing these valued outcomes. This finding is congruent with studies by Creed, Lehmann, and Hood (2009), Hollederer (2015) and Paul and Moser (2006), who all found that high levels of employment commitment lead to lower levels of well-being in unemployed people. As a consequence, people who are willing to work but are expected to have low chances of re-employment seem to be especially at risk of health deprivation.…”

Examining a model of life satisfaction among unemployed adults.

“…In an initial study with unemployed adults. Creed et al (2009) found psychological distress to be significantly predicted by self-esteem, neuroticism, and control. Building on these findings.…”

Core self-evaluation and subjective wellbeing: A moderated mediation model

“…If this situation continues, it is difficult for individuals to realize the benign development of cognitive schemas, leading to a reduction in their perception of their own value and purpose of existence, thus reducing their SWB. In contrast, individuals with a high core self-evaluation are not so easily influenced by the outside world ( 83 ), allowing them to have a more positive outlook, to recognize their value, and to meet the high-level psychological needs of adolescents (i.e., meaning in life). Therefore, meaning in life is shown to provide positive emotional experiences for adolescents.…”

Factors Influencing the Ability to Achieve Valued Outcomes among Older Long-Term Unemployed People

“…In sum, long-term unemployed people differ in the outcomes that they value and in the ability to achieve their valued outcomes, the value attributed to paid employment being crucial in experiencing these valued outcomes. This finding is congruent with studies by Creed, Lehmann, and Hood (2009), Hollederer (2015) and Paul and Moser (2006), who all found that high levels of employment commitment lead to lower levels of well-being in unemployed people. As a consequence, people who are willing to work but are expected to have low chances of re-employment seem to be especially at risk of health deprivation.…”

Examining a model of life satisfaction among unemployed adults.

“…In an initial study with unemployed adults. Creed et al (2009) found psychological distress to be significantly predicted by self-esteem, neuroticism, and control. Building on these findings.…”

Core self-evaluation and subjective wellbeing: A moderated mediation model

“…If this situation continues, it is difficult for individuals to realize the benign development of cognitive schemas, leading to a reduction in their perception of their own value and purpose of existence, thus reducing their SWB. In contrast, individuals with a high core self-evaluation are not so easily influenced by the outside world ( 83 ), allowing them to have a more positive outlook, to recognize their value, and to meet the high-level psychological needs of adolescents (i.e., meaning in life). Therefore, meaning in life is shown to provide positive emotional experiences for adolescents.…”

Factors Influencing the Ability to Achieve Valued Outcomes among Older Long-Term Unemployed People

“…In sum, long-term unemployed people differ in the outcomes that they value and in the ability to achieve their valued outcomes, the value attributed to paid employment being crucial in experiencing these valued outcomes. This finding is congruent with studies by Creed, Lehmann, and Hood (2009), Hollederer (2015) and Paul and Moser (2006), who all found that high levels of employment commitment lead to lower levels of well-being in unemployed people. As a consequence, people who are willing to work but are expected to have low chances of re-employment seem to be especially at risk of health deprivation.…”

Examining a model of life satisfaction among unemployed adults.

“…In an initial study with unemployed adults. Creed et al (2009) found psychological distress to be significantly predicted by self-esteem, neuroticism, and control. Building on these findings.…”

Core self-evaluation and subjective wellbeing: A moderated mediation model

“…If this situation continues, it is difficult for individuals to realize the benign development of cognitive schemas, leading to a reduction in their perception of their own value and purpose of existence, thus reducing their SWB. In contrast, individuals with a high core self-evaluation are not so easily influenced by the outside world ( 83 ), allowing them to have a more positive outlook, to recognize their value, and to meet the high-level psychological needs of adolescents (i.e., meaning in life). Therefore, meaning in life is shown to provide positive emotional experiences for adolescents.…”