The impact on women Veterans returning to the workforce: A correlational-predictive

Abstract:A significant number of military veterans encounter difficulties in transitioning to civilian life, with women veterans often facing unique challenges. To better understand this phenomenon, a quantitative correlational-predictive study was conducted to determine if and to what extent emotional intelligence predicted self-efficacy for self-appraisal, gathering occupational information, goal selection, planning, and problem-solving of female veterans returning to the workforce in the United States. Bandura’s Self-Efficacy theory and the theory of Emotional Intelligence supported this study. One hundred sixty-three female veterans completed the Emotional Intelligence Scale and the Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale. A simple linear regression was used to answer five research questions. Emotional intelligence is predicted by self-efficacy for the self-appraisal [ F (1, 160) = 108.69, p < .001, R 2 = .41]. Emotional intelligence predicted self-efficacy for gathering occupational information [ F (1, 160) = 51.99, p < .001, R 2 = .25]. Emotional intelligence predicted self-efficacy for goal selection [ F (1, 161) = 79.50, p < .001, R 2 = .33]. Emotional intelligence predicted self-efficacy for planning [ F (1, 161) = 136.37, p < .001, R 2 = .46]. Emotional intelligence predicted self-efficacy for problem-solving [ F (1, 160) = 82.29, p < .001, R 2 = .34]. Based on the statistical results, the null hypothesis for each research question was rejected. Despite the obstacles women veterans face, the results of this study supported the idea that women veterans’ emotional intelligence predicted career decision-making self-efficacy. The results of this study can be used to foster vocational preparedness among women veterans as they continue their careers in the civilian job market.