2012/05/07 by Peter A. Heslin, Myrtle P. Bell, Pinar O. Fletcher · 1 citation
Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Health Professions · Social Sciences · #Labor market dynamics and wage inequality #Employment and Welfare Studies #Gender Diversity and Inequality
paper · doi:10.1002/job.1795
openalex publication_date 2012/05/07 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
Summary In contrast to the substantial literatures on job loss, underemployment, and re‐employment, management scholars have paid scant attention to “discouraged workers,” defined as those who want to work but have ceased looking for work because of labor market‐related reasons such as discrimination. Drawing together the labor economics category of discouraged workers, the diversity literature on employment discrimination, and social cognitive research on careers, we model social cognitive mechanisms whereby discrimination can lead stigmatized minorities to become discouraged workers. We show how direct effects of discrimination (the “devil without”) can be compounded by its indirect impacts—through minority socialization and identity, struggling role models, learned helplessness, and low job search self‐efficacy (collectively, the “devil within”)—to lead stigmatized minorities to become discouraged workers. Our model of insidious intra‐ and inter‐personal dynamics that can amplify and sustain the demoralization and exclusion that stems from discrimination has implications for researchers, organizations, and those concerned with helping discouraged workers. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.