Predicting Educational and Vocational Attitudes Among Rural High School Students.

Abstract

Given the paucity of literature addressing the experiences of rural youth, this study investigated the ability of assessed levels of social support, perceived parental involvement, academic self-efficacy, and perceived educational barriers to predict school engagement and work role attitudes among rural high school students. The authors specifically intended to test the generalizability of M.

Influential Factors in Academic and Career Self‐Efficacy: Attachment, Supports, and Career Barriers

“…In addition, our study expands on their findings by examining the effects of attachment orientation. Also consistent with our results, perception of educational barriers was previously found to be negatively related to academic self‐efficacy (Wettersten et al, ), and there was evidence of a link between fewer perceived barriers and higher career decision self‐efficacy as well (Brown & Rector, ; Lopez & Ann‐Yi, ).…”

“…Therefore, individuals who perceive more barriers likely have a more difficult time feeling confident in their career decisions. Aside from career decision self‐efficacy, Wettersten et al () demonstrated that perceptions of educational barriers were negatively related to academic self‐efficacy. Furthermore, Lent et al () demonstrated that increased social supports and fewer barriers increased students' self‐efficacy.…”

The Measurement of Student Engagement: A Comparative Analysis of Various Methods and Student Self-report Instruments

“…In addition, the School Engagement Scale/Questionnaire (SEQ) was developed as part of a large study in nine high schools that reported on ways that parents, peers, and communities infl uence students' commitment to, or engagement with, school (Steinberg et al, 1996 ) . This scale has subsequently been used by researchers trying to understand factors that explain differences in vocational attitudes and career development behaviors among subgroups of high school students (Perry, 2008 ;Wettersten et al, 2005 ) .…”

Educational Barriers of Rural Youth

“…Using the findings in this study within intervention research that provided targeted supports for the rural youth that, according to our findings, perceive more educational barriers is needed as well. Finally, subsequent work with rural youth should also consider the supports that they have from the various sources others have begun to consider such as parent, teacher, sibling, and peer support (e.g., Ali et al, 2005; Wettersten et al, 2005). …”