Citation

Roddy AL, Morash M. Int. J. Offender Ther. Comp. Criminol. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0306624X19895963

PMID

31874586

Abstract

Using subsamples of 130 and 96 women on probation and parole, this research explores the direct effect of the supervising agent's communication patterns on client job-seeking self-efficacy. It also tests for the mediating effect through client psychological reactance, which is a feeling that one's freedoms are threatened. Agent and client reports of a conformity pattern of communication were associated with lower levels of job-seeking self-efficacy. Client reactance mediated this relationship. Agent and client reports of a conversational pattern of communication were associated with increased job-seeking self-efficacy. The results suggest that conformity-oriented communication should be avoided because of its potential to increase reactance and to promote low job-seeking self-efficacy. In contrast, conversational communication appears to have more positive effects on job-seeking self-efficacy.

FINDINGS highlight communication as a pathway through which agents can improve behavioral outcomes for women offenders searching for work.

Language: en

Keywords

communication; employment; job-seeking self-efficacy; probation and parole; reactance; women offenders