A Bottom-up Definition of Self-sufficiency

Abstract

Self-sufficiency (SS) is the epitome of America’s ‘reluctant’ welfare state. It is generally accepted in social welfare policy circles as a concept related to independence and financial stability. Nevertheless, SS is not a term agreed upon in practice by policymakers, researchers, or service providers and is frequently used without a clear common definition. In this sense, the purpose of this study is to explore the extent to which the top-down definition of ‘economic’ SS as the social policy goal is consistent with how the clients of job training programs perceive the term. Using a grounded theory approach, a bottom-up definition of SS was derived from a focus group of low-income jobseekers. The focus group was transcribed for a content analysis from which a client-centered definition of SS was drawn. Findings suggest that SS is a process of developing psychological strength properties and a goal-oriented progression toward realistic financial outcomes. Implications for evidence-based community interventions for client empowerment and workforce development are suggested.

Psychological and economic self-sufficiency among low-income jobseekers with physical disability barriers

“…This intervention was developed by a social work research team at Loyola University Chicago using participant-centered evidence from ten years of community-based focus group and survey data (Hong, 2013;Hong, Choi and Polanin, 2014;Hong, Hodge and Choi, 2015;Hong, Lewis and Choi, 2014;Hong, Polanin and Pigott, 2012;Hong, Sheriff and Naeger, 2009). By strengthening internal locus of control, TIP may not only empower persons with a disability with multiple co-occurring barriers to become job ready, but also charge employers to respond with best accommodations to what best talent and motivation that these individuals bring to the labor market.…”

“…This study defines employment hope as a psychologically transformative process in which one becomes psychologically empowered and motivated for future and makes progress toward goals by utilizing skills and resources (Hong, Sheriff and Naeger, 2009). This study uses the Short Employment Hope Scale (EHS-14) (Hong and Choi, 2013;Hong, Choi and Polanin, 2014), which consists of four factors and 14-item items-(i) psychological empowerment (4 items), (ii) futuristic self-motivation (2 items), (iii) utilization of skills and resources (4 items), and (iv) goal orientation (4 items).…”

“…Despite recently burgeoning studies on the relationship between PSS and ESS (Hong, 2013;Hong, Hodge and Choi, 2015;Hong, Lewis and Choi, 2014;Hong, Sheriff and Naeger, 2009), there is yet a dearth of empirical evidence for the effects of intrinsic motivation among people with disabilities with regard to job search. Because their everyday lives are filled with multiple barriers to a much greater extent compared to those of jobseekers without disabilities, it is important to understand job search through the lens of how individuals navigate through such obstacles with the power of motivation and determination.…”

“…There is no one official definition for ESS in policy and workforce development practice, but a commonly accepted one has to do with finding employment and not being on public assistance (Hong, Sheriff and Naeger, 2009). Employment as a core element of ESS is not merely intertwined with economic variables; it impacts and is impacted by psychological outlooks and emotional states (Schur, 2002).…”

Concurrent Participation in Federally-Funded Welfare Programs and Empowerment toward Economic Self-Sufficiency

“…WIN promoted self-sufficiency among welfare recipients through the establishment of employment and training programs (Ballou, 2014;Gowdy & Pearlmutter 1993). Since then, this notion has taken center stage in the poverty-reduction discourse (Hawkins, 2005;Hong, Sheriff, & Naeger, 2009) and become, arguably, the ultimate goal of the antipoverty welfare programs in America (Hawkins, 2005 (Cochran, 1985;Shain, 1994). As understood under TANF, selfsufficiency is the state of having enough income that would make an individual or household ineligible for cash assistance (Gowdy & Pearlmutter, 1993;P.…”