Family and consumer science educators' receptiveness to respond to changes in family caregiver environments

Abstract

The current study utilized the receptive contexts of change (Pettigrew, Ferlie, & McKee, 1992) to examine innovativeness in Family and Consumer Science Educators with the Cooperative Extension Service in order to better understand factors that contribute to program implementation. Two hundred and sixteen Educators rated their perceptions of Extension's receptiveness to change and psychosocial health factors. Results indicate that geographic differences exist across study variables. Additionally, results indicate that leadership self-efficacy, social support, and subjective age were significant predictors of innovativeness. Work-related stress does not have a direct effect on innovativeness, but an indirect effect was found through supportive organizational climate and leadership self-efficacy. These results suggest that environmental, personal, and organizational factors may be crucial mechanisms through with innovativeness is achieved for Educators. Implications of these findings for future research and practice are discussed.