Journal of Community Psychology
Volume 33, Issue 6, 2005, Pages 673-690

Psychosocial empowerment and social support factors associated with the employment status of immigrant welfare recipients (Article)

Garcia-Ramirez M.* , Martinez M.F. , Balcazar F.E. , Suarez-Balcazar Y. , Albar M.-J. , Domínguez E. , Santolaya F.J.
  • a Universidad de Sevilla, Spain, Department of Social Psychology, Universidad de Sevilla, 41018-Sevilla, Spain
  • b Universidad de Sevilla, Spain
  • c University of Illinois, Chicago, United States
  • d University of Illinois, Chicago, United States
  • e Universidad de Sevilla, Spain
  • f Universidad de Sevilla, Spain
  • g Universidad de Sevilla, Spain, University of Illinois, Chicago, United States, Department of Social Psychology, Universidad de Sevilla, 41018-Sevilla, Spain

Abstract

We analyzed the role that psychosocial empowerment and social support factors play in the employment status of immigrants who participate in jobreadiness programs financed by the European Social Funds and the Welfare Services of Andalusia, a region in the south of Spain. The goal of these programs is to find new ways to improve immigrants' social-labor participation and community integration. By means of a logistical regression analysis applied to data obtained in interviews with 188 participants, a predictor model of psychosocial factors associated with employment status was obtained. Significant psychological empowerment factors included having a positive professional self-concept, having an internal attribution of causality of employment, and having an active job search. Ability to depend on both compatriots and members of the host country in one's support network and the advice and information received from them was a significant factor in social support. Suggestions for future program development include increasing the use of psychosocial resources in interventions designed to improve immigrants' employment status. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-27744488718&doi=10.1002%2fjcop.20072&partnerID=40&md5=c7f52e37e3e2ccc934bb123e37bfe834
DOI: 10.1002/jcop.20072
ISSN: 00904392
Cited by: 30
Original Language: English