Motivational attributes of occupational possible selves for low-income rural women.

Abstract

To explore the influence of theorized motivational properties of possible selves on participants' perceived likelihood of achieving their most hoped-for self and avoiding their most feared self, the authors surveyed 198 low-income rural women attending either adult basic education classes (DHS, n ϭ 95) or community college developmental classes (DEV, n ϭ 103), who provided demographic information and completed questionnaires about occupational possible selves and personal efficacy. Affect, knowing someone in a hoped-for occupation, self-initiated actions, and personal efficacy each accounted for significant variance in predicting the participants' perceptions of achieving their most hoped-for self. None of the variables was predictive of participants' perceptions of avoiding their most feared self. Information about this population, implications for research, and career counseling are discussed.

Understanding potential career changers’ experience of career confidence following a positive psychology based coaching programme

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Self-Portraits: Possible Selves in European-American, Chilean, Japanese and Japanese-American Cultural Contexts

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Psychology of Success: Overcoming Barriers to Pursuing Further Education

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