This study was conducted in order to identify factors that influence the will of self‐reliance among workers participating in self‐support programs. For this purpose, data were collected from self‐support program participants in 2012 (1,301 participants in self‐supporting labor programs and 128 in selfsupport community programs). Input variables analyzed as factors influencing the will of self‐reliance were socio‐demographic variables, self‐esteem, and social capital.
According to the results, first, self‐supporting labor program participants’ self‐esteem was 2.328 out of 4 (S.M= .402) and it was somewhat lower than 2.406 (S.M=.404) in self‐support community participants, but the difference was not significant. Self‐supporting labor program participants’ social capital was 2.980 out of 5 (S.M=.844), significantly lower than 3.356 (S.M=.815) in self‐support community program participants. Self‐supporting labor program participants’ will of self‐support was 4.150 out of 5 (S.M=.602), lower than 4.314 (S.M=.521) in self‐support community program participants. Second, according to the results of regression analysis on self‐support program participants’ will of self‐reliance, age (B=‐.198, p<.001), self‐esteem (B=.236, p<.001), and social capital (B=.166, p<.001) were found to have a significant effect. That is, the will of self‐support was higher when age was young, when self‐esteem was high, and when social capital was high. Based on these findings, this study suggested self‐support policies, education systems, differentiated programs, etc. for enhancing self‐support program participants’ will of self‐reliance.