The Influences of Career Support and Sexual Identity on Sexual Minority Women's Career Aspirations

Abstract

The authors examined the relationship between sexual identity, family/friend career support, and career aspirations in a sample of 381 sexual minority women. The results indicated that family career support and friend career support were positively related to career aspirations of sexual minority women. The results also indicated that the relationship between family career support and career aspirations depended on the level of negative sexual identity. The findings demonstrate the utility of social cognitive career theory (Lent, Brown, & Hackett, 1994, 2002) with this particular population. Limitations and implications for further research and practice are discussed.

Living a Calling, Life Satisfaction, and Workplace Climate Among a Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Population

“…The relational approach involves working with clients to examine how their interpersonal frameworks influence their career development and to help clients improve social support systems (Schultheiss, 2003). Although other studies point out the importance of assessing support from family and friends (Fisher et al, 2011), this study highlights the importance of assessing sources of support at work, such as coworkers and supervisors. Counselors may also want to assess how workplace climates influence their clients' satisfaction at work, which might occur through a variety of means, such as heterosexism or direct discrimination.…”

Guiding the Talent and Career Development of the Gifted Individual

“…For example, gifted students who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) may have safety concerns related to their career choices (Greene, ) and may worry about the effect of their sexual orientation on their career (Peterson & Rischar, ). Although Fisher, Gushue, and Cerrone's () research focused on sexual minority women rather than a student population, they discovered that the respondents who received more career support from family and friends had higher career aspirations for themselves. In fact, family career support proved to be an especially powerful influence on the career aspirations of those who had more negative beliefs about their sexual identity.…”

“…In fact, family career support proved to be an especially powerful influence on the career aspirations of those who had more negative beliefs about their sexual identity. Thus, when helping LGBT students develop their career aspirations, counselors may need to consider the relationship between students' sexual identity and vocational identity development processes, as well as the importance of career support from family and friends (Fisher et al, ). This external support may be particularly vital to those who are preoccupied with their sexual identity development and have less emotional energy to invest in considering or pursuing their career aspirations (Fisher et al, ).…”

The Challenges Faced by Male Primary Teachers

“…Empirical studies have primarily focused on linking variables such as interests and choice goals (Lent et al, 2005), self efficacy and work satisfaction (Duffy & Lent, 2009;Lent et al, 2007; and the influences of challenges and supports on career choices (Lent et al, 2001;. These studies have used quantitative methods to indicate SCCT is a good predictor of career behaviour, and have since been supported by other empirical research (e.g., Byers-Winston & Fouad, 2008;Fisher, Gushue & Cerrone, 2011;Soldner, Rowan-Kenyon, Inkelas, Garvey & Robbins, 2012). These studies will be presented throughout this chapter where appropriate.…”

“…Some SCCT research has explored the effects of contextual challenges with working adult populations (e.g., Fisher et al, 2011;Perrone, Civiletto, Webb, & Fitch, 2004). Fisher et al surveyed sexual minority women (N=381) and determined that their career aspirations were positively influenced by support from their friends and family.…”