JOB CHARACTERISTICS, WORK-SCHOOL CONFLICT, AND SCHOOL OUTCOMES AMONG ADOLESCENTS - TESTING A STRUCTURAL MODEL

A conceptual model of work-school conflict was developed and tested. T his study extends prior adolescent employment research by investigatin g the process by which job characteristics an associated with school o utcomes. Data were obtained from a sample of 319 adolescents (16 to 19 years old) who were full-time students and part-time workers. The mod el was tested using structural equation modeling techniques. Results s upported the hypothesized path model. Job characteristics (workload, n umber of work hours, and job dissatisfaction) were positively related to work-school conflict. Work-school conflict was negatively related t o school readiness. School readiness was positively related to school performance, which was negatively associated with school dissatisfacti on. In addition, results support a feedback relation, such that school dissatisfaction is negatively related to school readiness.