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Behavioural Change in the Unemployed
Conference presentation

Behavioural Change in the Unemployed

Darren Coppin
USC Research Conference, 2013 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 01-Jul-2013–05-Jul-2013)
University of the Sunshine Coast
2013
url
https://www.usc.edu.au/View
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Abstract

Other Studies in Human Society welfare unemployment
Background: "Welfare & Other Services" takes-up 50.4% of the overall Federal Budget, and yet very few scientifically-evidenced tools are used to help to identify welfare recipients' actual willingness and belief that they wish to change their dependency upon welfare and willingness to really find sustainable employment. Research Aims: To uncover whether Prochaska-DiClemente's "Stage of Change" model can be applied to various unemployed groups to determine their genuine intention/belief that they can change their unemployed status. If so, can appropriate interventions be selected and timed to each Individual's Stage of Change to improve "Into Work" outcomes? Methods: Adaptation of "Stage of Change", in concert with Dr Prochasta/ University of Rhode Island to be directly applicable to the unemployed. Utilisation of the 12-question paper-based survey with over 150 unemployed clients & development of a more accurate and speedy online assessment tool. Finally rolling-out this assessment tool across 4-40,000 Australians over the next 18 months. Findings: We found that utilising the Stage of Change survey was laborious and often scored inaccurately (ie taking 25-30 minutes per person with 24% errors). However, this has been improved and initial indications are that using the tool to "stream" clients and interventions, resulting in improvements of 15-41% "Into Work" outcomes. A 20% increase would save the Australian government $1.01bn in welfare payments each year.

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