The work values of unemployed and employed youth: A reply to Rump

In response to Rump's (1983) comment, it was shown that the unemployed and employed groups in the Dowling & O'Brien (1981) study did have substantial differences in employment history. However, it was agreed that it is desirable to differentiate unemployed and employed groups on a criterion not based solely on current employment status. Further analyses were conducted on the Dowling & O'Brien (1981) data using groups that were either continuously or intermittently unemployed since leaving school as well as groups that were continuously or intermittently employed since leaving school. The mean work values (desired influence, desired skill-utilization, desired variety) of continuously employed respondents increased over time whereas the mean work values of continuously unemployed respondents decreased over time. These differences in change patters were not statistically different when analysed by repeated measures analysis of variance. Using Time 1 (September 1976) work values as covariates, there were significant differences in Time 2 (September 1977) work values. Differences in work values at Time 1 were not significant but the continuously employed group had significantly higher desired skill-utilization and variety at Time 2 than did the continuously unemployed group.