Decent work among U.S. veterans: examining the role of marginalization, economic constraints, and career adaptability

Despite high rates of unemployment among U.S. Veterans, relatively little research has been devoted to understanding the impact of contextual factors on U.S. Veterans’ ability to secure meaningful work. Building from the Psychology of Working Theory, the current study examined the theoretically hypothesized pathways to decent work among a sample of U.S. Veterans. Specially, the study investigated the impact of marginalization and economic constraints on securing decent work, and the mediating role of career adaptability in the relationship between contextual factors (marginalization and economic constraints) and decent work.

Participants were 264 U.S. Veterans recruited through Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Participants were assessed on their subjective social status, perceived classism experiences, perceptions of career adaptability, and perceptions of decent work. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the theoretically hypothesized pathways to decent work. The results showed economic constraints had significant positive direct effects on decent work and career adaptability. Results also revealed career adaptability significantly mediated the relationship between economic constraints and decent work, and marginalization positively correlated with economic constraints.

These results demonstrated support for PWT, by showcasing links between social class and decent work, and the mediation effect of career adaptability on these relations, among a sample of U.S. Veterans. By understanding these constructs, psychologists can help enhance the work lives of U.S. Veterans, particularly for those from lower social class backgrounds.