13937: Family Socioeconomic Status and Self-Regulation in Job Search: Job Quality Pathways for Young Adults (session 26267)

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Many young adults without college degrees spin their wheels between low wage jobs. This research examines factors beyond formal education that may influence job quality improvement among young job seekers without college degrees. Drawing on a self-regulation perspective, we propose that wage increase goals and job search metacognition are key drivers of job quality improvement. We further explain why family socioeconomic status (SES) differences in job search and job quality improvement exist among this population. We develop and test a model portraying the pathways from family SES to job quality improvement through resources and constraints for job search and self-regulated job search processes. Partnering with a government agency in a Midwest state, we collected data from unemployed young job seekers without college degrees using longitudinal surveys. We found that job seekers holding higher wage increase goals enjoyed larger wage improvement, and those who engaged in more job search metacognition were more likely to experience improvement in benefits, find new jobs with promotion opportunities, and perceive improvement in working conditions. Basic needs constraints and college degree holders in job seeker’s network explained the relationships between family SES and job quality improvement. These findings provide important theoretical and practical contributions.

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