Effects of career self-efficacy on the reemployment status of married women

Abstract

High career self-efficacy is associated with active career development and commitment. This study investigated the effects of career self-efficacy on the reemployment status of married women after childbirth based on the consistency between the reality and ideal work style. Married working women with children (102 regular and 102 irregular employees, M=40.55±5.77 and 40.35±5.90 years, respectively) participated in the study. They completed questionnaires regarding career self-efficacy in their past (before childbirth) and present (after childbirth) workplaces. The study findings showed that the career self-efficacy of women in irregular employment was lower as compared to that of their counterparts in regular employment. Moreover, for women who wanted to return to work after having children, a higher promotion efficacy before leaving employment was found to increase the probability of being in regular employment after childbirth. It is suggested that educational support to develop abilities to actively regard their career success as part of self-actualization goals, as well as to develop confidence in the capability to achieve these goals might promote the reemployment of married women with children.