The Relationship Between Selected Personal Characteristics of Middle School-Age Youth and Occupational Work Ethic

• Other Authors: Miller, Joseph Lamar (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Education
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-2433

Despite the enormous amount of research to expand our knowledge of the work ethic and characteristics of employees desired by their employers, little effort has been taken to document any correlations between personal characteristics of middle school-age youth and the dimensions of the work ethic construct. The purpose of this investigation was to explore related research concerning correlates to juvenile behavior and utilize that body of knowledge to determine whether factors correlated to juvenile disorder are also correlated to poor work ethic. A quantitative co-relational study was conducted using a sample of middle-grade students from two South Georgia school districts. Descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and structural equation modeling were utilized in the data analysis. The data were collected using a survey composed of demographic information and commercially available surveys, and the data were correlated to scores from a work ethic inventory. Analysis indicated that no predictor variable had a strong enough relationship to work ethic to be utilized as a single indicator. All models were significant and of practical importance at the .05 level, but none reached the desired level of precision for predictability (point estimate divided by the standard deviation of the dependant variable being less than 0.30). Multiple regression equations constructed for all variables against total work ethic, dependability, initiative, interpersonal skills, and teacher response to student work ethic resulted in R-square values of 0.499, 0.347, 0.503, 0.447, and 0.443 respectively. Again, all models were significant and of practical importance, yet no model reached the desired precision for predictability. A structural equation model was developed from student responses with no cases deleted using FIML method of accounting for missing data, 345 cases, and 11 measured variables. The final model achieved an R-square value of 0.41, had acceptable indices for RMSEA, AGFI, NFI, and CFI and was significant for the z statistic less than 2.0. === A Dissertation Submitted to the Department of Educational Leadership in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. === Fall Semester, 2003. === October 15, 2003. === Work Behavior, Pygmalion Effect, Employment Status, Self-Esteem, Socioeconomic Status, Self Esteem, Career Aspiration, Attitude, CAM, CAF, Juvenile Behavior === Includes bibliographical references. === Hollie Thomas, Professor Directing Dissertation; Bonnie Greenwood, Outside Committee Member; William Snyder, Committee Member; Lee Jones, Committee Member.