AN EXPLORATORY-STUDY OF POLITICAL-ATTITUDES AND ACTS AMONG CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES WORKERS

This study explored the policy advocacy potential, regarded as the pro pensity to influence public policy, of a diverse group (n = 184) of ch ild and family services workers in one state by assessing their politi cal attitudes and actions through a survey questionnaire. The workers demonstrated typically high trust in the American system of government , moderately high levels of internal political efficacy, and low level s of trust in incumbent political officials. A large majority of respo ndents believe they can and should act politically on behalf of childr en and their families but do less than they could. Nine out of ten res pondents did at least one political act during the year of the study; 75% acted through organizations or groups; about half took a public st and; half personally contacted an elected official; and only about 20% participated in political campaigns. Internal political efficacy was positively correlated with political activity level; associations betw een the other political attitudes and activity were not found. Respond ent characteristics, including gender, race, age, parental status, edu cation, employment auspices (government, non-government), job status ( paid, volunteer), and residence near the state capital (or not), were studied with regard to various political acts. The test for significan ce indicated only education made a difference; the higher the educatio n, the more activity. The study suggests the political action potentia l of child and family services workers is underdeveloped and that enco uragement and training are needed to increase political participation rates.