A social psychological perspective on poverty, community-based organization, and career decision making among middle-aged women in east central Illinois

Coleman, Xue Yang

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/116170 Copy

Description

Title

A social psychological perspective on poverty, community-based organization, and career decision making among middle-aged women in east central Illinois

Author(s)

Coleman, Xue Yang

Issue Date

2022-07-11

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Li, Jessica

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Li, Jessica

Committee Member(s)

• Pak, Yoon
• Davila, Liv
• Oh, Eunjung Grace

Department of Study

Educ Policy, Orgzn & Leadrshp

Discipline

Human Resource Education

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

poverty, middle-aged women, motivation barriers, community-based organization, reemployment

Abstract

Recent studies have acknowledged the role of community-based organizations (CBOs) in tackling poverty. CBOs could provide a valuable social space, networks, and supporting resources for disadvantaged people in local communities. They could also provide psychological empowerment opportunities and experiences that could positively influence the individuals' perceived self, collective efficacy, and self-determination to counterattack the situational and dispositional barriers caused by poverty. The majority of the people in poverty are women and children. Women tend to create a support system to balance childcare, family, work, and social activities. Middle-aged women participating in a community-based organization might benefit from the networks and resources to improve their lives and support their reemployment. This case study aims to examine the motivation and barriers of middle-aged women towards reemployment in a community-based poverty alleviation organization from a social psychological perspective. This study's findings confirm that CBO provides empowerment opportunities that meet individuals' social, survival, and self-determination needs. But the impact on reemployment is limited due to the lack of decent work and the incomprehensive current safety net and social policy. It is urgent to reform current social policies and programs, create decent work and volunteer opportunities, and shift the focus from human capital development to human flourishing.

Graduation Semester

2022-08

Type of Resource

Thesis

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2022 Xue Coleman

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