ABSTRACT
This chapter examines relationships between the values and beliefs of individuals and welfare recipiency and work attachment in a sample of black and white women. It focuses on determining whether differences exist between black and white women in the values-behavior linkages. The chapter explores the relative power of "individual" and "structural" explanations of welfare dependency. It examines the extent to which systematic differences exist between blacks and whites in the relationship among values/beliefs work attachment, and welfare dependency. Specific paths by which various outcomes are generated were hypothesized and modeled. The paths of influence of particular concern are the determinants of a sense of self-efficacy, the extent to which self-efficacy and health status affect current labor force status and previous work history. The extent to which self-efficacy, health status, expected labor status and work history affect the probability of receiving public assistance and the duration of receipt.
