Facilitating Transformation in Workforce Training: Using Clinical Theory to Understand Psychological Self-Sufficiency

ABSTRACT

Acknowledging the scarcity of a bottom up social work practice model in facilitating the development of success in workforce development programs, this study explores Psychological self-sufficiency (PSS) as an emerging social work practice theory. Phenomenological studies of low-income jobseekers in employment training along with the empirical validation of measures of the core constructs of PSS – employment hope scale (EHS) and perceived employment barrier scale (PEBS) – and testing of the theoretical model resulted in the emergence of a new theory of PSS. PSS was conceptually defined as a dynamic and internal drive that activates the process of transforming cognitively and affectively perceived barriers into hope driven action – the process that enables individuals to move forward toward goals. Based on the evidence of PSS, a participant-centered group intervention model called transforming impossible into possible (TIP) program was developed. This article delineates the trajectory of PSS theory development by critically reviewing various streams of practice theories influencing the PSS theory. Next, the conditions that necessitated the creation of the TIP program and its core principles underlying the functions of PSS are explained. By depicting the TIP program with direct quotes of clients’ experiences, authors exemplify the successful self-discovery process through enhanced PSS skills as a result of participating in the TIP program.

KEYWORDS:

• Psychological self-sufficiency (PSS)
• Transforming Impossible into Possible (TIP)
• workforce development
• relationship
• hope
• social work practice theory

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

¹ TIP is an evidence-informed intervention model that is designed to strengthen one’s PSS at the individual level and then to the outer layers of the system. It was developed by Dr. Philip Hong and his research team at the Center for Research on Self-Sufficiency in the School of Social Work of Loyola University Chicago in response to the need to empower the workforce development system from a Person-In-Environment (PIE) perspective.

² TIP Talks is the success story of TIP program participants who best practice TIPPING barriers to hope (psychological self-sufficiency).

Additional information

Funding

This paper was supported in part by the University Partnership Research Grants for the Health Profession Opportunity Grants Program under the Affordable Care Act, Grant #90PH0018, from the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation of the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, and the Korea Foundation of the Republic of Korea.

Notes on contributors

Rana Hong

Dr. Rana Hong, is Associate Director and Senior Research Associate at the Center for Research on Self-Sufficiency (CROSS) at Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work. She earned a PhD in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago in 2014. Dr. Hong has worked as a supervisor and clinic director at profit and non-profit agencies since 1996 and being certified in Theraplay®, Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)®, Play Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)®.

Terry B. Northcut

Dr. Terry B. Northcut teaches in the Human Behavior and the Social Environment and Methods Sequences. Her publications and scholarly interests include the integration of psychodynamic theory and cognitive-behavioral techniques, spirituality and clinical social work, teaching methodology, and the influence of postmodernism on social work practice. Dr. Northcut co-edited with Dr. Nina Heller the text, “Enhancing psychodynamic practice with cognitive-behavioral techniques.” She has taught at Smith College, University of Southern California, University of Tennessee, and Belmont College. Dr. Northcut received the African Child Rights Fellowship Award from Loyola in 2011–2012, to continue research in Ethiopia on psychosocial and mental health needs of families and children.

Marcia Spira

Dr. Marcia Spira joined the faculty in 1996. She teaches courses in both the MSW and PhD programs, in the methods and HBSE Sequences. Dr. Spira’s research and writing focus on older adults and intergenerational families, as well as women’s health and the impact of health concerns on family relationships.

Philip Young P. Hong

Dr. Philip Young P. Hong is Lucian and Carol Welch Matusak Endowed Professor, Associate Dean for Research and Director of the Doctoral Program at Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work. He is the Founding Director of Center for Research on Self-Sufficiency (CROSS) at Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work.