Journal of Career Development current issue

Parental Influences, Career Decision-Making Attributions, and Self-Efficacy: Differences for Men and Women?

Lease, S. H., Dahlbeck, D. T. — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:36:16 PST

This study investigated the relations of maternal and paternal attachment, parenting styles, and career locus of control to college students’ career decision self-efficacy and explored whether these relations differed by student gender. Data analysis using hierarchical multiple regression revealed that attachment was relevant for females’ career decision self-efficacy but not for men’s. Authoritarian parenting styles were predictive of women’s career decision self-efficacy. Locus of control was important for male students but not for females.

An Exploration of Social Cognitive Mechanisms, Gender, and Vocational Identity Among Eighth Graders

Macht Jantzer, A., Stalides, D. J., Rottinghaus, P. J. — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:36:16 PST

The authors conducted a multiple group path analysis examining gender differences in relations among career decision-making self-efficacy (CDMSE), career decision-making outcome expectations (CDMOE), and career decision-making intentions-goals (CDMIG), as well as linkages between these three sociocognitive variables and vocational identity status in a sample of 820 eighth graders. Overall, gender differences in mean levels of the sociocognitive variables were found, with girls scoring significantly higher on each variable. Results revealed model parameters varied across the groups, with stronger paths for boys than girls. Outcome expectations partially mediated the relation between CDMSE and CDMIG. Overall, CDMSE and CDMOE accounted for 30% and 45% of the variance in CDMIG for girls and boys, respectively. Moreover, linear combinations of sociocognitive variables explained differences among identity status groups. Participants with high CDMSE and CDMOE scores were more likely to have made a tentative career choice, whereas those with lower scores had not yet committed. Suggestions are provided for counseling younger adolescents as they begin to develop vocational identities.

Role Salience, Social Support, and Work--Family Conflict Among Jewish and Arab Female Teachers in Israel

Cinamon, R. G. — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:36:16 PST

Conceptualizing career development in a cultural and contextual framework, this study examined within-gender differences in role salience and work— family conflict (WFC) among 101 Jewish and 99 Arab female teachers (aged 23-64 years) from central Israel. The contribution of social support to women’s conflict was also examined. Results highlighted various differences: in contrast to expectations, Jewish teachers demonstrated higher spouse and parent values than Arab teachers, who demonstrated higher work values and work commitment. As expected, Jewish women reported higher levels of WFC compared to their Arab colleagues. Support systems in Jewish culture were related to lower WFC but not in Arab culture. Theoretical and practical implications emphasize the need for culture-sensitive models of work—family relations and for career counseling interventions.

The Effect of Overeducation on Job Content Innovation and Career-Enhancing Strategies Among Young Spanish Employees

Agut, S., Peiro, J. M., Grau, R. — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:36:16 PST

The increase of education in younger people and the relative scarcity of qualified jobs available for them make the overeducation of young workers a social issue. We explored the relationships between overeducation and extra-role behaviors (job content innovation and career-enhancing strategies) as well as the direct and moderating role of personal initiative and intrinsic work values in these relationships. We collected data from a sample of 638 young Spanish employees. As expected, there were negative relationships between overeducation and content innovation and career-enhancing strategies. Personal initiative and intrinsic work values related positively to extra-role behaviors. Moreover, high levels of intrinsic work values and personal initiative emerged as moderating factors that buffered the negative effect of overeducation on extra-role behaviors.

Effectiveness of Career Counseling and the Impact of the Working Alliance

Masdonati, J., Massoudi, K., Rossier, J. — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:36:16 PST

This study analyzes the role of the working alliance on the life satisfaction and career decision difficulties of clients participating in career counseling in Switzerland. The study also compares these career counseling clients to a group of students who did not seek counseling, to explore the overall effectiveness of a face-to-face career counseling intervention, using a pre—post design. Results indicated that the working alliance was positively associated with clients’ satisfaction with the intervention and with the final level of their life satisfaction. Working alliance was also negatively associated with the final levels of career decision difficulties. Moreover, clients’ career decision difficulties significantly decreased and their life satisfaction increased throughout the intervention. These findings suggest that working alliance represents an important variable to better understand career interventions’ underlying mechanisms. Moreover, face-to-face career counseling is effective considering career-specific as well as broader, life-related indicators.