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Dissertation
An examination of career indecision among working adults
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Jun 1989
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00000501
Abstract
The career indecision of employed adults was conceptually and empirically examined as part of this study. A preliminary model showing the antecedents and outcomes of career indecision among working adults was proposed and tested. Data gathered from 397 officers, managers, and professional employees in a large banking organization were used to test the model. In total, the study investigated the sources of career indecision, the antecedent factors that influence the construct, the outcomes that are impacted by career indecision, and the subtypes of adult career decidedness and their functionality/favorability in terms of the outcome variables. A set of instruments to assess the presence of career indecision and the sources of career indecision was developed for this research. Various tests indicated a generally satisfactory degree of construct validity, although opportunities for scale improvement were identified. Through the use of factor analysis, seven distinct sources of adult career indecision were isolated. The sources included a lack of self-information, a lack of information on the internal work environment, a lack of information on the external work environment, fear and anxiety, a lack of decision making self-confidence, nonwork demands, and personal/situational conflict. Overall, the seven sources showed a high degree of association with the career indecision component. Among the antecedent variables tested, age and the career management assistance provided by the organization had consistent and significant negative influences on the career indecision construct, while trait anxiety showed significant positive influence. With respect to the proposed outcome variables, career indecision was found to be related to individual job performance, organizational commitment, career satisfaction, future career expectations, and work exploration. In addition, the life stress, promotability, and self-exploration outcomes were found to be related to one or more of the sources of career indecision. Through the use of cluster analysis, six distinct subtypes of career decidedness were isolated. Three subtypes of career indecision were found and classified as chronic, developmental, and a chronic/developmental hybrid. In addition, three categories of career decidedness were discovered and classified as developmental, unconflicted adherence, and vigilant. Overall, it was found that the career indecision subtypes indicated comparatively less favorability in terms of the outcome variables.
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Details
- Title
- An examination of career indecision among working adults
- Creators
- Gerard Augustine Callanan
- Contributors
- Jeffrey H. Greenhaus (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xv, 326 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Business (and) Administration (1970-1999); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991014970206504721