Individual differences in age and self-efficacy in the unemployed

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of age in influencing the relationships among general self-efficacy, proactive attitude, and proactive coping in unemployed people. The sample consisted of 55 male and 49 female unemployed Australians participating in Job Search Training courses. They completed the General Self-Efficacy (GSE) Scale, the Proactive Attitude (PA) Scale, and the Proactive Coping (PC) Scale. The GSE, PA, and PC scores were found to be correlated, and a moderating effect for age was found on the relationship between PA and GSE. Regression analysis indicated that the moderation process could be explained by a mediating effect of PC. The results are discussed in terms of social learning theory, and implications are drawn regarding customisation of training programs for the unemployed.