The primary objective of this study was to examine the basis of the assumption that vocational student organizations (VSOs) are teaching devices for affective work competencies (AWC). It addressed as the major question: What is the relationship between participation in Home Economics Related Occupations (HERO) activities and HERO members' perceived AWC? The study also sought to determine if other selected variables (adviser effectiveness, age, work, work experience, occupational area, and sex) existed in explaining AWC. Equally important was the determination of variable combinations that best predicted AWC.

Purposive, structural sampling provided 410 HERO members in 18 chapters selected from the five home economics supervisory areas of Virginia: Eleven chapter advisers were identified as more effective and seven were identified as less effective.

Data were collected via two self-report instruments: The HERO Participation Inventory (developed by the researcher) and the Work Attitudes Inventory (Brauchle & Petty, 1983). The stepwise model of multiple linear regression analysis (MRA) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were statistical procedures used to analyze the data.

Major conclusions were the following: (1) A positive and significant relationship existed between HERO participation and AWC variable factors of Ambition, Self-Control, Enthusiasm, and Conscientiousness. (2) HERO participation was the best predictor of Ambition, Self-Control, and Enthusiasm, and the fourth best predictor of Conscientiousness. (3) Adviser effectiveness correlated positively and significantly with Ambition, Enthusiasm, and Conscientiousness, and was the second best predictor of Ambition and Enthusiasm.