Individuation in relation to parents as a predictor of career goals and career optimism in emerging adults

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the associations of Slovenian emerging adults' individuation characteristics (in relation to mother and father) with career goals and career optimism. We were interested in contributions of age, gender, certainty of study choice, and individuation dimensions when predicting intrinsic/extrinsic career goals and career optimism. The participants provided self-reports on the Individuation Test for Emerging Adults, the Career Goals Scale and the Career Futures Inventory. The results showed that age did not relate to emerging adults' career goals; however, older students reported lower career optimism than their younger counterparts. Furthermore, certainty of study choice was the most important predictor of career optimism, and, along with gender, of intrinsic career goals. Emerging adults who reported higher connectedness with both parents and self-reliance in relation to mother had higher intrinsic career goals, while self-reliance in relation to mother was positively associated with stronger optimism about an individual's future career. Fear of disappointing both parents significantly contributed to the prediction of extrinsic career goals and optimism, while parental intrusiveness did not add significantly to the prediction of the two measured career outcomes. The study confirmed the correlational effects of positive and negative aspects of individuation on career outcomes in emerging adulthood.

When and why do negative organization-related career shocks impair career optimism? A conditional indirect effect model

“…Although the explained variance in our study is not very large, it is nonetheless comparable with other studies (e.g. Pavlova and Silbereisen, 2013; Puklek Levpušček et al , 2018; Garcia et al , 2015). Based on the JD-R model (Demerouti et al , 2001; Bakker and Demerouti, 2007), it could be assumed that through an energetic process, demands are linked to burnout, and job resources are linked to work engagement via a motivational process, which, in turn, will then affect attitudes (Van Den Broeck et al , 2013).…”

“…Given the many potential positive effects of career optimism, it is important to better understand its possible predictors. Comparatively few studies have examined factors that might promote career optimism, including personality (Gunkel et al , 2010; Mcilveen et al , 2013a; Mclennan et al , 2017), different types of support (Garcia et al , 2015; Puklek Levpušček et al , 2018) and self-efficacy beliefs (Garcia et al , 2015). Moreover, career optimism can be affected through career coaching interventions (Spurk et al , 2015).…”

Links between academic motivation, psychological need satisfaction in education, and university students' satisfaction with their study

“…The results, therefore, indicate that, on average, students showed an inherent interest in the study they chose, but, on the other hand, they were also motivated by external contingencies, and perceived their study as a way to a financially good life and a high-status job. The interlace of both extrinsic and intrinsic motives in students' academic and career goal-setting was also observed in the study on career goals of Slovenian university students (Puklek Levpušček, Rauch, & Komidar, 2018). Although students considered intrinsic career goals (e.g., gaining new skills and knowledge, having interesting and challenging work, and contributing to society) as more important than the extrinsic career goals (e.g., high income, career success, power and influence in an organizational setting, and employment security), the latter were also perceived as substantially relevant in the career development.…”

Parenting, Major Choice Motivation, and Academic Major Satisfaction Among Filipino College Students: A Self-Determination Theory Perspective

“…Eventually, they might regret their college major choice and contemplate changing to a different major (Nauta, 2007). Consistent with the current findings, Levpušĉek et al’s (2017) study suggested that parental psychological control can induce feelings of fear and anxiety and may lead students to engage in externally motivated behaviors. In addition, prior studies (Dietrich & Salmela-Aro, 2013; Guay, 2005) showing an association between controlled motivation and career-related outcomes lend credence to the current findings that emphasized the negative relationship between controlled major choice motivation and academic major satisfaction.…”