Engagement in adolescent career preparation: Social support, personality and the development of choice decidedness and congruence

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Authors

This longitudinal panel study investigated predictors and outcomes of active engagement in career preparation among 349 Swiss adolescents from the beginning to the end of eighth grade. Latent variable structural equation modeling was applied. The results showed that engagement in terms of self- and environmental-exploration and active career planning related positively to interindividual increases in career decidedness and choice congruence. More perceived social support, early goal decidedness, and particular personality traits
predicted more engagement. Support and personality impacted outcomes only mediated through engagement. Early decidedness and congruence were significant predictors of their respective later levels. Implications for practice are presented.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Adolescence
Volume34
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)173-182
Number of pages10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 02.2011

    Research areas

  • Business psychology - Adolescence, Career decision-making, Career development, Career preparation, Personality