Publication year
2007
Citation Title
Influences of job search self-efficacy of spouses of enlisted military personnel.
Journal Name
Human Performance
Journal Volume
20
Issue Number
4
Page Numbers
391-413
DOI
10.1080/08959280701522114
Summary
The influence of employment status, family characteristics, child care conflict, and employment assistance programs on job search self-efficacy was examined in spouses of enlisted military personnel. Annual income and financial situation positively influenced job search self-efficacy. Childcare conflict negatively influenced job search self-efficacy.
Key Findings
Spouses who used employment assistance programs reported higher levels of job search self-efficacy than those spouses who did not use employment assistance programs.
Spouses who were employed had higher job search self-efficacy compared to those who were unemployed.
Childcare conflict was associated with lower levels of job search self-efficacy, even after controlling for individual and family characteristics.
Spouses' annual income and perceptions of the family's financial situation influenced job search self-efficacy, with less income and poorer perceptions of the financial situation related to less job search self-efficacy.
Implications for Program Leaders
Provide classes for spouses of Service members to assist them in finding fulfilling employment
Collaborate with childcare programs to offer spouses flexibility in utilization of childcare for interviews and other job-search related activities
Disseminate information about the resources and services available to help military spouses find employment
Implications for Policy Makers
Continue to support employment programs for military spouses
Continue to support military subsidized childcare for military families, particularly when military spouses are seeking suitable employment
Encourage collaboration with DoD programs and employers to help with job placement for military spouses
Methods
The data were derived from the DoD 1997 survey of spouses of enlisted personnel which sent surveys to a selected sample of 23,162 spouses of Active Duty enlisted (E5 or below in rank) members.
Spouses completed measures of job search self-efficacy, childcare conflict, and employment status. They also answered questions about personal and military characteristics and the use of employment services.
Of the returned surveys, civilian spouses married to an Active Duty Service member who was currently employed or searching for employment were selected for the current study.
Participants
Participants included 6,411 spouses of Active Duty military personnel.
The majority of the sample were female (94%), who were on average 27 years old.
No other demographic or military variables were presented.
Limitations
The measure of job search self-efficacy was abbreviated compared to what is typically used; results may not be comparable to other research.
Demographic data about the sample were incompletely reported, making it difficult to draw conclusions from the results.
Results may not generalize to other non-military spouses or populations.
Avenues for Future Research
Explore the nature of underemployment in relation to job search self-efficacy and other variables and outcomes
Use a longitudinal model to examine the dynamic nature of the relationship between job search self-efficacy and the independent variables
Examine the effectiveness of military programs aimed at helping spouses with employment
Focus
Multiple Branches
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Branch
Military Component
Abstract
In this cross-sectional study we examine antecedents of the job search self-efficacy (JSSE) of 6,411 spouses of enlisted military personnel. Drawing on social cognitive theory, we suggest that individual circumstances either impact an individual's mastery beliefs about job search skills or act as barriers, which can impede job search activity and efficacy through a form of resource drain. Antecedents explored in this analysis represent environmental, behavioral, and personal factors that may be associated with self-efficacy beliefs. Structural equation modeling analysis indicates that mastery mechanisms of current employment status, education level, financial resources, and use of employment assistance programs offered by the military are positively related to JSSE. In addition, family responsibility variables (e.g., number of children and financial resources) operate as barriers to JSSE via childcare conflict's negative relationship with this specific form of self-efficacy. Limitations and future research directions are discussed.
Attach