Validation of the Return-to-Work Obstacles and Self-Efficacy Scale for Women on Sick Leave Due to Breast Cancer (ROSES-BC)

PURPOSE

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women. Approximately 40% of BC survivors are diagnosed during the peak years of their professional career. Women face numerous obstacles when returning to work (RTW) after BC. Their decision-making process and self-efficacy to overcome these barriers may undergo alterations. The objective of this study was to validate the Return-to-work Obstacles and Self-Efficacy Scale (ROSES) for BC survivors, with a focus on three psychometric properties: construct validity, test-retest reliability, and predictive validity.

METHODS

This prospective study consists of three phases: Phase 1 (baseline, during sick leave) was conducted to evaluate construct validity, Phase 2 (2 weeks later) assessed test-retest reliability, and Phase 3 (6-month follow-up, RTW or not) aimed to evaluate predictive validity. A total of 153 BC survivors participated in Phase 1 of the study, where they completed the 10 dimensions of the ROSES (e.g., fear of relapse, cognitive difficulties). Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA), Pearson correlations, and Cox regressions were performed, with respect to each phase.

RESULTS

The mean duration for RTW with the same employer was 62.7 weeks. CFAs confirmed the ROSES structure, which had previously been established for other health conditions, showing satisfactory coefficients. Significant Pearson correlation coefficients were observed between the ROSES dimensions from Phase 1 to Phase 2, ranging from 0.66 to 0.88. When considering various confounding variables, chemotherapy treatment and cognitive difficulties (ROSES dimension) emerged as the only significant predictors of RTW.

CONCLUSION

These findings support the utilization of the ROSES in clinical and research settings for BC survivors to improve their successful RTW. After an initial screening using the ROSES, occupational health professionals can further conduct a focused and thorough evaluation of specific dimensions, such as cognitive difficulties. Additional research and information are required to assist BC survivors in dealing with cognitive impairments induced by chemotherapy when they return to work.

Vocational Identity Status in Chinese Emerging Adults with and without Hearing Impairment: Latent Profiles and Relationships with Self-Esteem and Subjective Well-Being

This study aimed to (1) explore the configuration of vocational identity status among emerging adults with and without hearing impairment using latent profile analysis, and (2) investigate the relationships between vocational identity status and self-esteem and subjective well-being. In total, 408 students without disabilities and 432 with hearing impairments from two Chinese higher institutions participated in the study. The Vocational Identity Status Assessment, Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale, Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Positive and Negative Affect were used to assess the major variables. The results derived five latent profiles (achieved, foreclosed, searching moratorium, undifferentiated, and diffused) of vocational identity in the present sample. The students were over-represented in undifferentiated profiles and under-represented in achieved and foreclosed ones. Hearing impairment significantly affected vocational identity status profile membership. The results showed that emerging adults with achievement and foreclosure statuses displayed healthy psychological outcomes, having the highest self-esteem, life satisfaction, and positive affect, and the lowest negative affect. In contrast, the diffused group showed the most disturbing pattern with the lowest self-esteem, life satisfaction, and positive affect, and the highest negative affect. The research findings reveal some notable issues in vocational identity status for emerging Chinese adults, raising concerns about the influence of hearing impairment on vocational identity formation, and provide implications for Chinese society to facilitate college students' career development process to promote their vocational identity status and enhance their self-esteem and subjective well-being.

A social cognitive perspective on occupational identity development in college students

Occupational identity is a central concept of career development, by providing a sense of direction and meaning across career development. This study aimed to examine how this concept can be associated with career processes through model formed by a set of socio-cognitive factors. The participants were 358 college students at a Brazilian university who completed measures of occupational identity, environmental supports and barriers, self-efficacy, goal progress, and academic satisfaction. Analysis indicates that the occupational identity status was partially well predicted by the combination of self-efficacy to cope with barriers, supports, academic satisfaction, and goal progress. These results highlight that students with a positive sense of competencies to deal with barriers and adequate levels of academic satisfaction would easily establish an occupational identity.

Protean Career Orientation and Proactive Career Behaviors During School-to-Work Transition: Mechanism Exploration and Coaching Intervention

The school-to-work transition (STWT) period is crucial for students, and a protean career orientation (PCO) is important for a successful transition. The present study aimed to examine the effects of PCO on proactive career behaviors, the underlying mechanisms, and the development of PCO using a coaching approach. Study 1 was conducted based on 250 Chinese undergraduate and postgraduate students during STWT using self-reported questionnaires. Statistical results showed that PCO positively predicted proactive career behaviors and mediated by vocational identity and career adaptability. In Study 2, a randomized controlled trial was used to implement a coaching program that aimed at improving PCO and associated positive career outcomes. Statistical analyses found that the intervention group showed significant improvements in PCO, and the increase in PCO positively predicted increases in career adaptability, vocational identity, and proactive career behaviors.

A Longitudinal Study of Relationships Between Vocational Graduates’ Career Adaptability, Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy, Vocational Identity Clarity, and Life Satisfaction

Career construction theory proposes that high career adaptability leads to positive adaptation outcomes during career transition. However, the specific pathways of how this happens remain underexplored. Drawing on the career construction model of adaptation, we hypothesized that career decision-making self-efficacy mediates the link of career adaptability with vocational identity clarity and life satisfaction as two measures of adaptation outcomes. We conducted a three-wave survey with an initial sample of 3126 Czech upper-secondary vocational graduates transitioning from vocational school to the labor market. Structural equation modeling revealed that career decision-making self-efficacy fully mediated the relationship between career adaptability before graduation and vocational identity clarity 20 months later. In contrast, the mediation effect of career decision-making self-efficacy on the relationship between career adaptability and life satisfaction was not supported. Additionally, in contrast to the previous literature, career adaptability was not directly related to vocational identity clarity and life satisfaction. Nevertheless, our findings demonstrated a positive long-term association of career adaptability with adaptation outcomes within the working life domain. Practical implications and future directions are discussed.

Vocational identity of veterans with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders

BACKGROUND: No studies have examined vocational identity among individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. OBJECTIVE: Influenced by Blustein’s relational theory of working (2011), this study examined the relationships between several social-environmental variables (external/relational conflicts, employment barriers, substance abuse stigma) and vocational identity. METHODS: Eighty-four veterans receiving treatment from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders participated in this survey study. RESULTS: Education, employment, clinical, disability, and substance abuse factors were not associated with vocational identity, but external/relational conflicts, employment barriers, and substance abuse stigma were. Multiple regression analysis found that these variables accounted for 34%of the variance in vocational identity and that external/relational conflicts was the only significant predictor. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that more conflictual messages about work from external/relational sources is related to less clarity around one’s vocational interests, goals, and talents.

Customer Cooperation and Employee Innovation Behavior: The Roles of Creative Role Identity and Innovation Climates

Employee innovation behaviors lay the foundation for sharing economies and are of importance to business success, especially for service sector firms such as hotels. This study examines the relationship between customer cooperation and employee innovation behavior (EIB) by focusing on the mediating role of creative role identity and the moderating role of innovation climate. Drawing on resource based theory and role identity theory, we propose that customer cooperation enhances creative role identities and EIB, and the relationship between creative role identities and EIB is stronger when innovation climates are described as “high” rather than “low.” A total of 213 respondents in high star hotel were selected for questionnaire survey in this study. The results indicate that Customer cooperation is positively related to EIB. Customer cooperation positively affects EIB partially through creative role identities and innovation climate strengthens the direct effect of creative role identities on EIB and the indirect effect of customer cooperation on EIB through creative role identities. Theoretical and practical implications were also discussed.

Exploring Perceptions of the Path to Work/Life Success Among Middle School Students of Color

There are limited empirical studies examining career-related activities for Black and Latino/a students during the middle school years. Using a constant comparison method, this study examined the narrative data of 63 Black and Latino/a middle school students regarding their perceptions of work and life success. The results of this analysis revealed five overarching themes: exposure, support, attainment, family, and effort/persistence. Implications for career and school professionals, as well as the significance of school–family–community partnerships, are discussed.

Professional development perspectives across gender and age groups of under-qualified rural NEETs

Our study explored how self-efficacy perceptions are associated with Perceived Barriers (PB), meaning beliefs about constraints on current/future vocational development, and Professional Expectations (PE) among rural, under-qualified youths Not in Employment, nor in Education or Training (NEET). We also analyzed how the connections between these factors varied across gender and age groups. One hundred and eighty-eight NEETs participated in this study (58.20% female; (M = 23.05; standard deviation = 1.96). Through linear regression analysis using PROCESS macros, we found that higher self-efficacy was associated with stronger PB, after accounting for the effects of training offers and income. Moreover, men showing stronger self-efficacy also displayed stronger PB, while men depicting weaker self-efficacy presented weaker PB, compared with women in similar conditions. Being offered more training opportunities resulted in stronger perceptions of professional barriers for these NEETs. Thus, rural, under-qualified NEETs require person-centered approaches from employment services, to support their transition to employment/training.

Exploring the Impact of Formal Internships on Biomedical Graduate and Postgraduate Careers: An Interview Study

Graduate students and postdocs in science, technology, engineering, and math fields are faced with a wide range of career paths to employment, but they are often not trained to effectively pursue these opportunities. The lack of career management skills implies long tenures in graduate school for many students, especially as tenure-track positions in academia dwindle. At our university, we used a cohort model in which graduate students and postdocs were encouraged to apply to the Broadening Experiences in Scientific Training program (BEST under the aegis of the National Institutes of Health) that provided opportunities to gain career management skills, engage in career exploration, and complete at least one formal internship. In this interview study of the BEST trainees, we investigated the efficacy of internships as career exploration tools and associated outcomes. Our findings show that internships were seen as effective career exploration and self-development vehicles that influenced participants' long-term career goals. Graduate students and postdocs reported gaining transferable knowledge and skills, in addition to receiving valuable industry mentoring and networking opportunities.

Understanding the Career Aspirations of Diverse Community College Students

The purpose of the study was to examine the relative contributions of career predictors (self-efficacy, career barriers, and coping-efficacy for overcoming barriers) in predicting educational and achievement aspirations in a diverse sample of community college students. Data from 236 community college students were utilized. Results from hierarchical regressions suggested that career-decision self-efficacy, college self-efficacy, compromising career for partner, perceptions of barriers, and coping efficacy in overcoming barriers were unique predictors of achievement and educational aspirations. As hypothesized, coping efficacy accounted for variance above and beyond the contributions of self-efficacy and barriers in predicting aspirations. Implications of these findings for research and practice are discussed.

Career-Specific Parenting Practices and Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Among Chinese Adolescents: The Interactive Effects of Parenting Practices and the Mediating Role of Autonomy

This study examined the unique and interactive effects of various career-specific parenting practices (i.e., parental career support, interference, and lack of engagement) on Chinese high school students’ career decision-making self-efficacy (CDSE) as well as the mediating role of autonomy in such associations. Based on data from 641 Chinese high school students (47.6% male; mean age = 15.28 years old, SD = 0.49) in 2016, two moderated mediating effects were identified. Higher level of parental career engagement strengthened the positive association between parental career support and adolescents’ autonomy, which in turn, was associated positively with adolescents’ CDSE. Parental career interference related negatively with adolescents’ CDSE via autonomy when lack of parental career engagement was low, but related positively with adolescents’ CDSE via autonomy when lack of parental career engagement was high. These findings advance our understanding of the underlying processes between career-specific parenting practices and adolescents’ CDSE. Implications for practices were discussed.

Validation of the Vocational Identity Status Assessment (VISA) Using Chinese Technical College Students

Developing a vocational identity is one of the most important tasks facing any adolescent, and vocational identity has become a focus of attention in career education and guidance for decades. However, few studies have been conducted on this topic in China due to a lack of relevant measures. The purpose of this study was to validate a Chinese version of the Vocational Identity Status Assessment (VISA) using 1,650 Chinese technical college students. The 30-item VISA–Chinese Version was found to have sound reliability and validity and with measurement invariance across age groups. This study contributes to the vocational identity literature by demonstrating the usefulness of VISA–Chinese Version.

Vocational Identity and Career Progress: The Intervening Variables of Career Calling and Willingness to Compromise

Few studies have assessed potential underlying mechanisms related to vocational identity development. Informed by goal-setting and self-regulatory theories, this study ( N = 286 young adults; mean age = 20.5 years) tested the relationship between vocational identity and career goal–performance discrepancy (i.e., the appraisal that unsatisfactory progress is being made in one’s career) and assessed the process roles of willingness/unwillingness to compromise (as mediator) and career calling (as moderator) in this relationship. As expected, we found that a stronger vocational identity was associated with less willingness to compromise and fewer perceptions of career-related discrepancy and that willingness to compromise partially mediated the relationship between vocational identity and career goal–performance discrepancy. Additionally, career calling strengthened the negative relationship (i.e., moderated) between vocational identity and willingness to compromise and strengthened the negative relationship (i.e., moderated the mediation effect) between vocational identity and career goal–performance discrepancy.

Reciprocal Associations Between Career Self-Efficacy and Vocational Identity: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study

We examined the changes in career decision-making self-efficacy (CDSE) and vocational identity (VI) and their reciprocal associations among 1,026 senior high school students, comprising 493 from Hong Kong (age in 10th grade: M = 16.31, SD = 0.65; 238 girls) and 533 from Shanghai (age in 10th grade: M = 16.50, SD = 0.56; 237 girls). They completed measures for assessing their CDSE and VI annually from 10th to 12th grades. Latent growth curve analyses indicated that both CDSE and VI significantly increased over time in the Hong Kong sample. Cross-lagged path analyses indicated that the reciprocal positive effects between CDSE and VI over time were supported in both samples. These findings indicated that CDSE and VI are generally dynamic and interrelated dimensions for Chinese adolescents’ career development with some regional differences.

Microaggressions and Ethnic Identity in the Career Development of Latina College Students

Counseling psychologists have noted the importance of examining the intersection of sociocultural identity and vocational psychology. In our study, we considered this intersection in a sample of 202 Latina college and graduate students from a perspective informed by social cognitive career theory. We examined how ethnic identity and experiences of self-reported microagressions were related to career decision self-efficacy and outcome expectations, including relationships to both positive and negative outcome expectations in our model. Findings indicated that higher endorsement of ethnic identity was positively related to career decision self-efficacy and to negative outcome expectations, whereas higher endorsement of experiences of microaggressions was related to lower career-decision self-efficacy, greater negative outcome expectations, and lower positive outcome expectations. Career decision self-efficacy was associated with lower negative outcome expectations and higher positive outcome expectations. Indirect relationships and two alternative models were also explored. We discuss implications for future research and career counseling with Latinas.

Development of the Return-to-Work Obstacles and Self-Efficacy Scale (ROSES) and Validation with Workers Suffering from a Common Mental Disorder or Musculoskeletal Disorder

Introduction Common mental disorders (CMDs) and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) lead the list of causes for work absence in several countries. Current research is starting to look at workers on sick leave as a single population, regardless of the nature of the disease or accident. The purpose of this study is to report the validation of the Return to Work Obstacles and Self-Efficacy Scale (ROSES) for people with MSDs and CMDs, based on the disability paradigm. Methods From a prospective design, the ROSES' reliability and validity were investigated in a Canadian sample of workers on sick leave due to MSDs (n = 206) and CMDs (n = 157). Results Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed that 46 items spread out on 10 conceptual dimensions (e.g., Fears of a relapse, Job demands, Difficult relation with the immediate supervisor), with satisfactory alpha coefficients and test-retest reliability for all subscales. Finally, several dimensions of ROSES also predict the participant's RTW within 6 months for MSDs (e.g., job demands), and CMDs (e.g., difficult relation with the immediate supervisor), even when adjusted by several variables (e.g., age, severity of symptoms). Apart from the job demands dimension, when the ROSES dimension is more external to the individual, only the perception of obstacles remains significant to predict RTW whereas it is the opposite result when the dimension is more internal (e.g., fears of a relapse). Conclusion The ROSES demonstrated satisfactory results regarding its validity and reliability with people having MSDs or CMDs, at the time of the return-to-work process.

Improving Career Decision Self-Efficacy and STEM Self-Efficacy in High School Girls: Evaluation of an Intervention

This study evaluated whether a career group intervention that incorporates the four sources of self-efficacy and addresses perceived career barriers is effective at improving the career decision self-efficacy and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) self-efficacy for adolescent girls. Of the 88 girls in our study, 42 students were Latina and 46 were White, 40 were freshman, and 48 were sophomores attending the same high school. From this sample, 44 of these girls participated in a 9-week treatment group. Using repeated measures analysis of covariance with ethnicity and grade as covariates, results indicated that, compared with the control group ( n = 44), participants in the treatment group improved significantly on variables of career decision self-efficacy and STEM self-efficacy and increased those gains at 3-month follow-up. The discussion focuses on implications for career counseling, limitations of the study, and future research.

Discrimination and Other Education Barriers, School Connectedness, and Thoughts of Dropping Out Among Latina/o Students

We test two models in which Latina/o students’ school connectedness partially mediates the relationship between barriers (discrimination experiences at school and other educational barriers, respectively) and thoughts of dropping out of high school. Results of a moderated mediator analyses in a sample of 896 Latina/o high school students were consistent with hypotheses. Latina/o students who reported greater frequency of discrimination experiences and those who reported greater frequency of other barriers that affect how they are doing in school were more likely to have thoughts of dropping out, and these relationships were attenuated by school connectedness. A hierarchical regression indicated that discrimination experiences, other educational barriers, and school connectedness each contributed unique variance to thoughts of dropping out. Findings highlight the salience of efforts to reduce discrimination in schools and enhance school connectedness as a potential protective factor for Latina/o youth. Implications for dropout prevention are discussed.

Going to College? Latina/Latino High School Students’ College-Going Self-Efficacy and Educational Goals

This study investigated the contributions of academic performance and college-going support and barriers in predicting college-going self-efficacy and educational goals among Latina/Latino high school students. Concerns regarding assessment and measurement issues in prior research were addressed. Findings suggested that grade point average was the most important contributor of both college-going self-efficacy and educational goals. In addition, college-going support from family moderated the relationship between grade point average and college-going self-efficacy, such that for students with a high grade point average, high levels of support were related to higher self-efficacy, while students with a high grade point average but lower support had lower self-efficacy. Levels of family support were less important with regard to efficacy and goals for students with a lower grade point average, who tended to have low college-going self-efficacy. The implications of these findings are discussed and recommendations for future research and practice are provided.

The State of SCCT Research in Relation to Social Class

This article provides an overview of 47 empirical studies of social cognitive career theory (SCCT) and recent SCCT-based models with a focus on social class and socioeconomic status (SES). We summarize the findings across the studies according to (1) the use of social class or SES as a study variable and (2) low-SES samples based on demographic data. We provide an assessment of the current state of SCCT research on social class and offer directions for advancing SCCT theory and research with attention to how social class can be conceptualized and operationalized within SCCT.

Rural Appalachian Youth’s Vocational/Educational Postsecondary Aspirations

This study investigates the relationship between postsecondary aspirations and vocational/educational self-efficacy beliefs, outcome expectations, perceived educational barriers, and sources of support among a sample of rural Appalachian high school students. Using Social Cognitive Career Theory as the theoretical framework, vocational/educational aspirations are examined in terms of four specific postsecondary pathways common to rural Appalachian students (work, vocational technical, bachelor’s only, and professional). Results indicated vocational/educational self-efficacy beliefs, college outcome expectations, likelihood of encountering barriers to postsecondary education, and socioeconomic status contribute significantly to the discriminant function predicting the post-secondary pathways. This research extends previous work in this area by examining an understudied group, rural Appalachian adolescents. Implications of the results and suggestions for future research are provided.

Vocational Identity and Ego Identity Status in Korean Nursing Students

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between vocational identity and ego identity status among Korean nursing students.

METHODS

The participants were 311 nursing students in South Korea who were attending either a 4-year bachelor's program or a 3-year diploma program. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires that addressed vocational identity, ego identity status, and demographic information. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance, t test, and Chi-square test.

RESULTS

In terms of ego identity status, 31.5% of nursing students were classified as being in diffusion status, followed by 28.3% in low profile moratorium status, 14.8% in moratorium status, 14.1% in foreclosure status, and 11.3% in achievement status. Vocational identity differed according to ego identity status; vocational identity among students who were in achievement status was higher than for those in all other statuses. Vocational identity also differed according to grade level and monthly family income. Ego identity status was related to the type of program enrolled in, grade level, and monthly family income.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings show that nursing students in identity achievement status have secure and clear vocational identities. Further longitudinal and qualitative studies are needed to find out if identity formation among nursing students changes with age.

Nursing as a Career Choice by Hispanic/Latino College Students: A Multi-Institutional Study

BACKGROUND

Despite rapid growth in the Hispanic/Latino population, there is significant underrepresentation of Hispanic/Latino individuals in the nursing workforce and nursing programs. This study investigated college students' interest in and self-efficacy for nursing as a career choice, and factors that students believe will impact their success in a nursing program.

METHOD

A nonexperimental, associational research study using a survey instrument was conducted at three comprehensive, public state universities and one community college in the western United States in an area with a significant Hispanic/Latino population.

RESULTS

Descriptive and multivariable correlation statistical analysis suggested that college students' interest in and self-efficacy for nursing as a career choice was similar for both Hispanic/Latino and non-Hispanic/Latino students in the sample. Perceived facilitators for success in a nursing program were identified.

CONCLUSION

Findings can be used to develop strategies and programs to enhance the success of Hispanic/Latino students interested in nursing as a career choice.

Impact of a Career Exploration Course on Career Decision Making, Adaptability, and Relational Support in Hong Kong

This is a first initiative to apply career exploration research to understand and assess a career intervention in Hong Kong. In responding to educational and social changes, a one-semester academic career course was designed to foster the participants’ career exploration in a public university in Hong Kong. Data were drawn from about 380 students enrolled voluntarily across three successive semesters in either the career course or another academic course unrelated to career development. The career course served as an intervention to enhance exploration for enrolled students, with students from an unrelated academic course in the same semester included as a comparison group. Pre- and post-assessments were conducted to assess the career course’s impact in terms of career decision making, career adaptability, and relational support. The reflection and discussion here focus on the course’s effectiveness and cultural appropriateness as a career intervention tool and its strategic value in higher education in Hong Kong and beyond.

Factors Associated With Work Volition Among Aging Workers in Hong Kong

Work volition refers to the perceived ability of an individual to choose work under constraints. As they age, older workers often face declines in cognitive functioning and adaptability, as well as age discrimination in organizations. Our goal was to examine the relation between the mentioned constraints and work volition for aging workers, and whether general self-efficacy moderated the associations between constraints and work volition. A total of 350 working Chinese (aged over 45 years) in Hong Kong were recruited. Structural equation modeling (SEM) result showed that perceived age discrimination and cognitive constraint (planning and organization) were salient correlations of work volition. Multi-sample SEM analysis verified that general self-efficacy moderated the association between the cognitive constraints as well as perceived age discrimination in the workplace and work volition. Limitations and recommendations, including assessment of work volition, strengthening of general self-efficacy, and elimination of age discrimination, were discussed.

The Outcomes of Vocational Interventions

The purposes of this article are to (a) summarize the status of career intervention research since Spokane and Oliver’s seminal meta-analysis of vocational intervention outcome and (b) discuss in more detail a recently proposed method for determining whether career interventions make a difference in the lives of clients (clinical significance). Although several excellent meta-analyses of the career intervention outcome literature have appeared since 1983, we briefly summarize the meta-analytic results, discuss future research directions that were suggested by the meta-analyses, and evaluate our progress in addressing suggestions. The bulk of the article focuses on summarizing how clinical significance of career outcomes can be addressed, presenting normative data that can be used to address clinical significance questions with several widely used outcome measures, and illustrating clinical significance calculations using published career intervention studies.

Temporary Workers’ Satisfaction

Workers exposed to job insecurity and job changes are ever increasing, however, studies among temporary workers are underrepresented in the literature. This study adopts a positive approach to the topic investigating the individual factors leading temporary workers to take advantage from their flexible jobs. This study, carried on among 471 temporary workers, hypothesized that self-efficacy and internal locus of control are associated with work satisfaction and with the perception of situational opportunities. Moreover, self-efficacy is posited to indirectly relate to work satisfaction through the perception of situational opportunities and career enhancement strategies. Findings attested a direct association between internal locus of control and satisfaction and an indirect association between self-efficacy and work satisfaction.

Development and Validation of the Vocational Identity Measure

Having a strong vocational identity is a prelude to the formation of individuals’ overall identity. Hence, vocational identity has long been a variable of interest in vocational research. However, most existing studies utilized Holland, Gottfredson, and Power’s My Vocational Situation (MVS) vocational identity subscale to measure vocational identity. Due to how its items are worded, we contend that the MVS was not able to accurately capture vocational identity as a stable construct. Its dichotomous response scale also limits researchers’ attempts to evaluate its psychometric properties. To address these issues, we developed and validated a new “Vocational Identity Measure (VIM)” that utilizes Likert-type responses. The VIM seeks to measure how aware individuals are of their stable career goals, interests, and abilities. Results (Studies 1 and 2) suggest that the VIM possesses sound internal reliability, a stable single-factor structure, and incremental validity over the MVS. The scale also has good convergent validities with relevant constructs such as career decision self-efficacy and exploration. Based on these findings, the strengths and limitations of the VIM scale are discussed, and future research directions are proposed.