Cognitive structure and vocational decision-making among voluntary midlife career changers and persisters
Abstract
The midlife era can be characterized as a dynamic period of transition and change in adult development. Reforming one's life structure during midlife includes developing new hopes and new goals for career and status. Increasingly, individuals are taking charge of their career lives by pursuing alternative careers which offer greater career and life satisfaction. Many individuals who indicate a desire to change careers, however, do not even though the salutary advantages of career change appear to outweigh the pernicious effects of persisting in an unfulfilling career. This study examined the differences between career changers and persisters in terms of cognitive structure characteristics, conflict decision-making styles, and several other career development and environmental barrier variables. Eighty-three participants between the ages of 35 and 55 met the inclusion criteria for this study. Logistic regression analysis suggested changers have a stronger sense of vocational identity, a more internal locus of control, and a more optimistic view of the economy than persisters. No statistically significant differences were found between groups on measures of cognitive structure characteristics. Additionally, a chi-square analysis of the measures from a conflict-theory model of decision-making suggested that persisters differed from changers in their coping patterns in making career decisions. Persisters (a) perceived greater risk to self in career change, (b) had little hope of finding a better career, and (c) believed there was not enough time to search for a better career.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Kelly, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Academic guidance counseling
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