Optimism, Career Decision Self-Efficacy and Career Indecision Among Greek Adolescents
top of page
Asian Institute of Research, Journal Publication, Journal Academics, Education Journal, Asian Institute
Asian Institute of Research, Journal Publication, Journal Academics, Education Journal, Asian Institute

Education Quarterly Reviews

ISSN 2621-5799

asia institute of research, journal of education, education journal, education quarterly reviews, education publication, education call for papers
asia institute of research, journal of education, education journal, education quarterly reviews, education publication, education call for papers
asia institute of research, journal of education, education journal, education quarterly reviews, education publication, education call for papers
asia institute of research, journal of education, education journal, education quarterly reviews, education publication, education call for papers
crossref
doi
open access

Published: 19 March 2019

Optimism, Career Decision Self-Efficacy and Career Indecision Among Greek Adolescents

Argyro Charokopaki, Katerina Argyropoulou

University of Athens, Greece

asia institute of research, journal of education, education journal, education quarterly reviews, education publication, education call for papers
pdf download

Download Full-Text Pdf

doi

10.31014/aior.1993.02.01.52

Abstract

The study explored the mediating role of career decision making self-efficacy between optimism and adolescents' career indecision. Using a sample of 153 Greek high school students, it was found that optimism influenced career indecision both directly and indirectly (via career decision making self-efficacy). The findings are discussed with reference to the social cognitive career theory (SCCT) framework. Implications for research and adolescents' career counseling are also discussed.

References

  1. Andrew Hayes (2013). Introduction to Mediation, Moderation, and Conditional Process Analyses (2nd edition). http://www.afhayes.com. Retrieved: 25/02/2019.

  2. Argyropoulou, K., & Kaliris, A. (2018). From career decision-making to career decision-management: New trends and prospects for career counseling. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 5(10), 483-502.26. doi: 0.14738/assrj.510.5406.

  3. Argyropoulou, K., Katsioula, P., Drosos, Ν.,& Kaliris Α. (2018). Charaktiristikalipsisepaggelmatikonapofaseonketharros: E periptosimathiton/mathitrion se GenikaLykeia toy Kilkis [Career decision-making characteristics and courage: The case of pupils in General Lyceums of Kilkis]. Review of Counseling and Guidance. To be published.

  4.  Argyropoulou, K., Sidiropoulou-Dimakakou, D., & Besevegis, E.G.(2007). Generalized self-efficacy, coping, career indecision and vocational choices of senior high school students in Greece. Journal of Career Development, 33, 316-337. Doi: 10.1177/0894845307300412.

  5. Aspinwall, L. G., Richter, L., & Hoffman, R. R. (2001). Understanding how optimism works: An examination of optimists’adaptive moderation of belief and behavior. In E. C.Chang (Ed.), Optimism and pessimism: Implication for theory, research and practice (pp. 217-238). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

  6. Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundation of thought & action: A cognitive theory. Englewood Cliffs.

  7. Baron, M., & Kenny, D.A. (1986). The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic and statistical consideration. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51, 1173-1182. Doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.51.6.1173

  8. Betz, N.E. (2008). Advances in vocational theories. In S.D. Brown & R.W. Lent (Eds.), Handbook of counseling psychology, (4th ed., pp. 357-374). New York, NY: Wiley.

  9. Braunstein- Bercovitz, H., Benjamin, B., Asor, S., Lev, M. (2012). Insecure attachment and career indecision: Mediating effects of anxiety and pessimism, Journal of Vocational Behavior,  88 (3). 10- 18.

  10. Creed, P.A., Patton, W. &Bartrum, D. (2002). Multidimensional properties of the LOT-R: Effects of optimism and pessimism on career and well-being related variables in adolescents. Journal of career assessment, 10(1), 42-61.

  11. Charokopaki, K. Ar. (2012). {Aytoapotelesmatikotitastidiadikasialipsisekpaideytikwn kai epaggelmatikwnapofasewnmathitwn/triwndeyterobathmiasekpaideysis: O rolosatomikwnparagontwn kai ypostiriktikwnmixanismwn}. Career decision-making self efficacy of secondary education students: The role of personality, environmental factors and contextual supports. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. University of Thessaly, Greece.

  12. Edward C. Chang Thomas J.D’ Zurilla Albert Maydeu-Olivares (1994). Assessing the dimensionality of optimism and pessimism using a multimeasure approach. Cognitive Therapy Research, 18(2), 143-160.

  13. Fair, B. (2014). Better decisions through the application of positive psychology. https://repository.upenn.edu.

  14. Fouad, N. A., & Smith, P.L. (1997). Reliability and validity evidence for the middle school self-efficacy scale. Measurement & Evaluation in Counseling & Development, 30, 17-32.

  15. Fouad, N.A., Smith, P.L., &Enochs, L., (1997), Reliability and validity evidence for the Middle School Self-Efficacy Scale. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 30, 17-31.

  16. Frederickson, B.L., &Levenson, R.W. (1998), Positive emotions speed recovery from the cardiovascular sequelae of negative emotions. Cognition and Emotion, 12, 191-220.

  17. Fredrickson, B.L., Mancuso, R.A., Branigan, C., &Tugade, M.M. (2000). The undoing effect of positive emotions. Motivation and Emotion, 24(4), 237-258.

  18. Fredrickson, B. L., Tugade, M. M., Waugh, C. E., & Larkin, G. R. (2004). What good are Positive emotions in crises? A prospective study of resilience and emotions following the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11th, 2001. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 365-376.

  19. Garcia, P. R. J. M., Restubog, S.L.D., Bordia, P, S., Bordia., Roxas, R.E.O. (2015). Career optimism: The roles of contextual support and career decision- making self- efficacy. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 88, 10-18.

  20. Gati, I., Krauz, M., Osipow, S.H. (1996). A taxonomy of difficulties in career decision- making. Journal of Counseling Psychology. 43, 10- 526.

  21. Gati, I., Landman, S., Davidovitch, S., Asulin- Peretz, L., Gadass, R. (2010). From career decision- making styles to career decision- making profiles: A multidimensional approach. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 76. 277- 291.

  22. Gati, I., Gadassi, R., Hadadi, Y., Ansenberg, N., Friedman, R., & Asulin-Peretz, L. (2011). Emotional and personality-related aspects of careerdecision-making difficulties: Facets of career indecisiveness. Journal ofCareer Assessment, 19, 3–20.

  23. Gati, I., & Willner, T. (2013). The associations between career decision-making profiles and career decision-making difficulties (Unpublished manuscript). Department of Psychology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.

  24. Gati, I., & Levin, N. (2014). Counseling for career decision-making difficulties: Measures and methods. The Career Development Quarterly, 62, 98–113.

  25. Giannakos, I. (2001). Predictors of Career Decision –Making Self-Efficacy. Journal of Career Assessment, 9, 101-114.

  26. Ginevra, M. C., Magnano, P., Lodi, E., Annovazzi, C., Camussi, E., Patrizi, P., Nota, L. (2018). The role of career adaptability and courage on life satisfaction in adolescence.Journal of Adolescence, 62, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2017.11.002

  27. Hartman, B. W., Fuqua, D. R., & Hartman, P. T. (1983). The predictive potential of the career decision scale in identifying chronic career indecision. Vocational Guidance Quarterly,32, 103- 108.

  28. Hair, J., Black, W., Babin, B., Anderson, R., & Tatham, R. (2006). Multivariate data analyses. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. 

  29. Holland, J.L. (1992). Making vocational choices: A theory of vocational personalities and work environments. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.

  30. James, L.R., Mulaik, S.A., & Brett, J.M. (2006). A tale of two methods. Organizational Research Methodology, 6(9), 233-244.

  31. Jin, L., Watkins, D., & Yen, M. (2009). Personality, career decision self-efficacy, and commitment to the career choices process among Chinese graduate students. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 74, 47-52. Doi: 10.1016/j.jvb.2008.10.002

  32. Judd, C.M.& Kenny, D.A. (1981). Estimating the Effects of Social Interventions. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

  33. Kalliris, A., Sidiropoulou-Dimakakou, D., Drosos, N., Argiropoulou, K. Foundouka, A. (2017). {Thetikoipsychologikoiparagontesstilipsiapofasewnstadiodromiasstousefivous: Apotelesmataereunas kai protaseisgia ti symvouleytikipraktiki}. Positive psychological factors in career decision making in adolescents: Survey results & recommendations for counseling practice. Oral Communication at the 16th Panhellenic Congress of Psychological Research entitled "People, Institutions, Society: The World of Psychology" (10-14 / 05), EL.PSE, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki.

  34. Kluemper, D.H., Little, L.M., &DeGroot, T. (2009). State or trait: Effects of state optimism on jobā€related outcomes. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 30, 209–231.

  35. Koumoundourou, G., Kounenou, K., &Siavara, Ef. (2011). Core Self-Evaluations, Career Decisions Self-Efficacy, and Vocational Identity among Greek adolescents. Journal of Career Assessment, 29,269-286. Doi: 10.1177/0894845310397361

  36. Larsen, D., Edey, W., &LeMay, L. (2007). Understanding the role of hope in counseling: Exploring intentional uses of hope. Counseling Psychology Quarterly, 20, 401-416.

  37. Lease, S. H. (2004). Effect of locus of control, work knowledge, and mentoring on career decision-making difficulties: Testing the role of race and academic institution. Journal of Career Assessment, 12, 239–254.

  38. Lent, R.W., Brown, S.D., & Hackett, G., (1994). Toward a unifying social cognitive theory of career and academic interest, choice, and performance (Monograph). Journal of Vocational Behavior, 45, 79-122.

  39. Lent, R.W., Brown, S.D., & Hackett, G., (2000). Contextual supports & barriers to career choice: A social cognitive analysis. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 47, 36-49.

  40. Lent, R.W., Brown, S.D., & Hackett, G., (2002). Social Cognitive Career Theory. In: Brown D., & Associates, Career Choice, and Development, (4th edition, p.p. 255-311). San Fransisco: Jossey-Bass.

  41. Lent, R.W., Sheu, H., Singley, D., Schmidt, J., Schmidt, L. C., &Gloster, C.S. (2008). Longitudinal relations of self-efficacy to outcome expectations, interests and major choice goals in engineering students. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 73, 328-335. Doi: 10.1016/j/jvb.2008.07.05

  42. Lent, R.W., Taveira, M., Pinto, J.C., Silva, A.D., Blanco, A., Faria, S., &Goncalves, A.M. (2014).  Social Cognitive predictors of well-being in African college students. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 84, 266-272. Doi: 10.1016/j.jvb. 2014.01.007

  43. Lent, R.W., Taveira, M., Sheu, H., &Singley, D. (2009). Social cognitive predictors of academic adjustment and life satisfaction in Portuguese college students: A longitudinal analysis. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 74, 190-198. Doi: 10.1016/j.jvb.2008.12.006

  44. Lipshits-Braziler, Y., Gati, I., & Tatar, M. (2015). Strategies for coping with career indecision. Journal of Career Assessment. 13, 131-149. doi:10.1177/1069072714566795.

  45. Magnano, P., Paolillo, A., &Giacominelli, B. (2015). Dispositional Optimism as a Correlate of Decision-Making Styles in Adolescence. Sage Open, 5(2), 1-12

  46. Marhall, G.H. & Lang, E.L. (1990). Optimism, self-mastery, and symptoms of depression in women professionals. Journal Personality & Social Psychology, 59(1), 132-139.

  47. McMahon, M. (2007). Life story Counselling: Producing new identities in career counseling. In K. Maree (Ed.), Shaping the story: A guide to facilitating narrative counseling (pp. 63–72). Pretoria, South Africa: Van Schaik.

  48. Mcilveen, P., Beccaria, G., Burton, L. G. (2013). Beyond conscientiousness: Career optimism and satisfaction with academic major. Journal of Vocational Behavior,83(3), 229-236.

  49.  Osipow, S.H. (1987). Career Decision Scale manual (Rev.ed). Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.

  50. Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A classification and handbook. New York: Oxford University Press/Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

  51. Pury, C. L. S., Starkey, C. B., Breeden, C. R., Kelley, C. L., Murphy, H. J., & Lowndes, A. Y. (2014). Courage interventions. Future directions and cautions.In A. C. Parks & S. M. Schueller (Eds.), The Wiley Blackwell handbook of positive psychological interventions (pp. 168-178). Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.

  52. Rogers, M.E., Creed P.A., &Glendon, A.I. (2008). The role of personality in adolescent career planning and exploration: A social cognitive perspective. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 73, 132-142. Doi: 10.1016/j.jvb.2008.02.2002.

  53. Rottinghaus, P.J., Buelow, K.L., Matyja, A., & Schneider, M.R. (2012). The Career Futures Inventory- Revised measuring dimensions of career adaptability. Journal of Career Assessment, 20, 123–139. Doi: 10.1177/1069072711420849.

  54. Saka, N., Gati, I., Kelly, K. R. (2008). Emotional and Personality- Related Aspects of Career Decision- Making Difficulties. Journal of Career Assessment,16 (4), 403-424.

  55. Santilli, S., Marcionetti, J., Rochat, S., Rossier, J., & Nota, L. (2016). Career adaptability, hope, optimism, and life satisfaction in Italian and Swiss adolescents. Journal of Career Development.doi: 10.1177/0894845316633793 Advance Online Publication.

  56. Scheier, M. F., Carver, C. S. (1985). Optimism, coping, and health: Assessment and implications of generalized outcome expectancies. Health Psychology, Vol 4(3), 219-247. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0278-6133.4.3.219.

  57. Scheier, M. F., Carver, C. S., Bridges, M. W. (1994). Distinguishing Optimism from Neuroticism (and Trait Anxiety, Self-Mastery, and Self-Esteem): A Reevaluation of the Life Orientation Test. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 67 (6):1063—1078.

  58. Seligman, M. (2006). Learned Optimism. How to change your mind and your life. New York: Vintage Books.

  59. Shimizu, K., Vondracek, F. W., Schulenberg, J. E., & Hostetler, M. (1988). The Factor Structure of the Career Decision Scale: Similarities across Selected Studies. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 32, 213- 225.

  60. Scott, A.B., &Ciani, K.D., (2008). Effects of an undergraduate career class on men’s and womens’ career decision making self-efficacy and vocational identity. Journal of Career Develpement, 34, 263-285. Doi: 10.1177/0894845307311248.

  61. Seligman, M. (2006). Learned Optimism. How to change your mind and your life. New York: Vintage Books.

  62. Sheu, H., & Bordon, J., (2017). SCCT Research in the international context: Empirical evidence, future directions, and practical implications. Journal of Career Assessment, 25, 58-74. Doi: 10.1177/1069072716657826.

  63. Sheu, H., Chong, S.S., Chen, H., & Lin, W. (2014). Well-being of Taiwaness and Singaprean college students: Cross-cultural validity of a modified social cognitive model. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 61, 447-460. Doi: 10.1037/cou0000018.

  64. Sheu, H., Liu, Y., & Li, Y. (2017). Well-being of college students in China: Testing a modified social cognitive model. Journal of Career Assessment, 4, 144-158.

  65. Shin Yun-Jeong, Kelly R. Kevin. (2015). Resilience and decision-making strategies as predictors of career decision difficulties. Career Development Quarterly, 63, 291-305. Doi: 10.1002/cdq.12029

  66. Sidiropoulou-Dimakakou, D., Mylonas, K., Argyropoulou, K., &  Tampouri, S. (2012). Career Decision-making Difficulties, Dysfunctional Thinking and Generalized Self-Efficacy of University Students in Greece. World Journal of Education, 2(1), 117-130. doi:10.5430/wje.v2n1p117.

  67. Sovet, L., Annovazzi, C., Ginevra, M.C., Kaliris, A., & Lodi, E. (2018). Life design in adolescence: The role of positive psychological resources. In V. Cohen-Scali, L. Nota, & J. Rossier (Eds.), New perspectives on career guidance and counseling in Europe. Building careers in changing and diverse societies (pp. 23-37). Springer International Publishing.eBOOK ISBN: 978-3-319-61476-2. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-61476-2

  68. Super, D.E., Savickas, M.L., & Super, C.M. (1996). The life-span, life-space approach to careers. In D. Brown, L.Brooks, & Associate (Eds), Career Choice and development: Applying contemporary theories to practice (3rd ed., pp.121-178). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. 

  69. Taylor, K., M., & Betz, N., (1983), Applications of sefl-efficacy theory to the understanding and treatment of career indecision. JournalofVocationalBehavior, 22, 63-81.

  70. Tsechelidou, K. (2015).{Poiotitazwis kai ergasia: Ta synaisthimataelpidas, aisiodoksias kai noimatoszwisstousEpaggelmatikousSymvoulous}.Quality of life and work: emotions of hope, optimism, and meaning of life among Career Counselors. Unpublished master’s thesis. National and Kapodestrian University of Athens.

  71. Wang, N., Jome, L.M, Haase, R.F., & Bruch, M.A. (2006). The role of personality and career decision making self-efficacy in the career choice commitment of college students. Journal of Career Assessement, 14, 312-332. Doi: 10.1177/1069072706286474.

  72. Wu, Ben H. (2018). The Role of Career Optimism and Perceived Barriers in College Students’ Academic Persistence: A Social CognitiveCareer Theory Approach. Dissertations. 1548.

bottom of page