The Connections of Parole and Probation Agent Communication Patterns With Female Offenders' Job-Seeking Self-Efficacy. (June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Roddy, Ariel L.; Morash, Merry
• Is Part Of: International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology. Volume 64:Number 8(2020)
• Page Start: 774
• Page End: 790
• Publication Date: 2020-06
• Subjects: women offenders -- probation and parole -- employment -- communication -- reactance -- job-seeking self-efficacy; Criminals -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Criminal psychology -- Periodicals; Violent offenders -- Periodicals; Sex offenders -- Periodicals; Criminology -- Periodicals; 364.3
• DOI: 10.1177/0306624X19895963
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-624X

Abstract

Using subsamples of 130 and 96 women on probation and parole, this research explores the direct effect of the supervising agent's communication patterns on client job-seeking self-efficacy. It also tests for the mediating effect through client psychological reactance, which is a feeling that one's freedoms are threatened. Agent and client reports of a conformity pattern of communication were associated with lower levels of job-seeking self-efficacy. Client reactance mediated this relationship. Agent and client reports of a conversational pattern of communication were associated with increased job-seeking self-efficacy. The results suggest that conformity-oriented communication should be avoided because of its potential to increase reactance and to promote low job-seeking self-efficacy. In contrast, conversational communication appears to have more positive effects on job-seeking self-efficacy. Findings highlight communication as a pathway through which agents can improve behavioral outcomes for women offenders searching for work.