Antecedents and Correlates of Adolescent Employment: Race as a Moderator of Psychological Predictors

Abstract

<jats:p> Adolescent employment during high school has become the norm in the United States, but studies of associated outcomes have yielded mixed results. These discrepant findings may be partly attributable to study methods, including differences in how adolescent employment is measured and how selection factors are taken into account. The present study, based on data from the Child Development Supplement of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, aims to continue untangling these complexities by (a) examining whether the strength of theoretical predictors varies when predictors are assessed in a comprehensive model that simultaneously controls several psychological, family, and community factors; (b) determining whether the strength of predictors varies depending on how adolescent employment is measured (work status, work duration, and work intensity); and (c) assessing whether race moderates some of these relationships. Results indicate differences in how each predictor is related to each dimension of adolescent employment, as well as a moderating effect of race on the relationship between educational expectations and number of hours adolescents worked each week. </jats:p>

Predictors of Employment in Early Adolescence: Results of a Longitudinal Study

“…While extensive effort has been devoted to understanding the correlates and consequences of adolescent employment and work intensity during the school year, the identification of pre-existing characteristics that influence adolescents’ propensity to access to formal employment has garnered much less attention. Also, McLoyd & Hallman (2020) recently reemphasized the importance of addressing differential selection into employment to advance our understanding of the effects of adolescent employment (Bachman et al, 2013; Hwang & Domina, 2017).…”

“…Entwistle et al (1999) noted that 13- to 14-year-olds who started work the earliest where those who had done more chores at home. After examining three levels of variables as precursors of adolescent work, namely psychological factors, family context, and community context, McLoyd & Hallman (2020) also identified larger domestic responsibilities as being associated with higher odds of being employed. Such results would suggest a socialization effect of early participation in household labor on later paid labor.…”

“…Such results would suggest a socialization effect of early participation in household labor on later paid labor. More particularly, improved labor market outcomes would be the result of increased motivation to enter the labour market and increased soft skills that employers deem valuable (e.g., initiative, sense of responsibility) (McLoyd & Hallman, 2020). Purtell & McLoyd (2011) examined positive social behavior and academic variables as longitudinal predictors of patterns of adolescent employment during the school year in a low-income ethnically diverse sample.…”

“…It must be stressed that the above-mentioned studies by Leventhal et al (2001), McLoyd & Hallman (2020), Purtell & McLoyd (2011), and Sanford et al (1994) on predictors of adolescent employment included youths aged 15 years or older. Also, no previous study has attempted to distinguish youths having informal work only from those having formal work.…”

“…Hence, partaking in physical activity, as having domestic responsibilities, could be seen as a catalyst promoting the development of diverse qualities that are useful for the labour market. It must be stressed that the above-mentioned studies by Leventhal et al (2001), McLoyd & Hallman (2020, Purtell &McLoyd (2011), andSanford et al (1994) on predictors of adolescent employment included youths aged 15 years or older. Also, no previous study has attempted to distinguish youths having informal work only from those having formal work.…”