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Relationships Among Middle‐School Adolescents' Vocational Skills, Motivational Approaches, and Interests
Author(s) -
Turner Sherri L.,
Conkel Julia,
Starkey Michael T.,
Landgraf Rachel
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the career development quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.846
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 2161-0045
pISSN - 0889-4019
DOI - 10.1002/j.2161-0045.2010.tb00059.x
Subject(s) - assertiveness , vocational education , psychology , structural equation modeling , developmental psychology , social skills , social psychology , pedagogy , statistics , mathematics
This study examined gender differences in relationships among vocational skills, motivational approaches, and same‐gender and cross‐gender interests for urban adolescents. Results showed gender differences in interests, with males having greater Realistic interests and females having greater Artistic and Social interests, based on Holland's (1997) theory of interest types. Structural equation modeling revealed that males tended to approach the occupational world with assertiveness, the desire to create opportunities, and the use of instrumental support. Females tended to approach the occupational world by being adaptable, capitalizing on their skills and abilities, actively preparing themselves for the future, exploring options, and using emotional support. Recommendations for career development practice are provided.