Learned helplessness or expectancy-value? A psychological model for describing the experiences of different categories of unemployed people

Journal/Book: J Adolescence. 1997; 20: 24-28 Oval Rd, London, England NW1 7DX. Academic Press Ltd. 321-332.

Abstract: Various studies have explored the relationships between unemployment and expectation of success, commitment to work, motivation, causal attributions, self esteem and depression. A model is proposed that assumes the relationships between these variables are moderated by (a) whether or not the unemployed individual is seeking a first job and (b) age. It is proposed that for the unemployed who are seeking their first job (seekers) the relationships among these variables will be consistent with expectancy-value theory, but for those who have had a previous job (losers), the relationships will be more consistent with learned helplessness theory. It is further assumed that within this latter group the young losers will experience ''universal helplessness'' whereas the adult losers will experience ''personal helplessness''.

Note: Article Rodriguez YG, Univ Complutense Madrid, Dept Differential & Work Psychol, Somosaguas Campus, Madrid 28223, SPAIN

Keyword(s): SELF-ESTEEM; JOB LOSS; SCHOOL-LEAVERS; CAUSAL ATTRIBUTIONS; WORK; EMPLOYMENT; IMPACT; DEPRESSION; ATTITUDES; BEHAVIOR

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