Self-esteem and self-efficacy outcomes for unemployed individuals attending occupational skills training programs

Abstract

This paper reports on immediate and long-term well-being and confidence outcomes for unemployed individuals who attended occupational skills/personal development training courses. Results for unemployed trainees were compared with an unemployed waiting-list control group. Outcomes investigated were self-esteem and job-search self-efficacy. Immediate benefits were identified for both dependent variables, and some support was identified for long-term benefits in job-search self-efficacy. Behavioural plasticity effects were demonstrated, with participants with lower levels of self-esteem and lower levels of job-search self-efficacy pre-course responding differently to training than those with higher levels at that time. Outcomes were also examined in relation to the impact of the psychosocial climate of the training environment. Self-esteem and confidence levels at the end of the courses were associated with perceptions of the actual training environment. Practical implications are discussed, and outcomes are related to the theoretical explanations for changes in well-being for unemployed people.