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Abstract
The current study extends research on the Cognitive-Emotional Theory of Esteem Support Messages (CETESM) and examines the role of esteem support during the job search. Unemployed, underemployed, and/or displaced job seekers (N=197) recalled an esteem support message they had received during their job search. Messages were coded using a scheme derived from the CETESM. Results indicate that helpful messages (i.e., those that enhanced state self-esteem related to the job search) were significantly more likely than unhelpful messages to contain message features predicted by the CETESM. Helpful messages were also associated with greater job search activity than were unhelpful messages. Theoretical implications, as well as pragmatic implications for those who wish to support job seekers, are discussed.
Acknowledgments
This research was presented at the annual meetings of the Central States Communication Association, April 2011, and the International Communication Association, May 2012. It was funded by the Federation Prize from the Central States Communication Association.
Notes
1. Because we were not privy to many details of the participants' job search situation and background, we were unable to assess the extent to which messages focused on truthful, realistic attributions and appraisals. For example, if the helper said, “You have not had problems finding work in the past,” we were unable to verify this statement. As such, we focused on number and relevance of emotion-focused statements in the current study.
2. We did not include primary appraisals because (a) they occur in immediate response to events and are thus not as likely to be influenced by esteem support messages, and (b) we conceptualized the job search situation as inherently goal-relevant and goal-incongruent, as much previous research has indicated. Thus, it is unlikely (and perhaps inappropriate) that an esteem support message would lead a recipient to believe that being unemployed, underemployed, or displaced is not important or problematic. In addition, we did not include the secondary appraisal category of future expectancy, which was difficult to distinguish from stability, or the category of accountability, which was difficult to distinguish from causal locus.
3. Details of these analyses are available from the first author upon request.