Modeling the Occupational/Career Decision-Making Processes of Intellectually Gifted Adolescents : A Competing Models Strategy

• Published in: Journal for the education of the gifted Vol. 37; no. 2; pp. 128 - 152
• Main Author: Jung, Jae Yup
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.06.2014; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Academically gifted; Adolescents; Australia; Career Choice; Career development; Career guidance; Cognitive processes; Construct Validity; Culture; Decision Making; Factor Analysis; Family Influence; Foreign Countries; Gifted; Gifted children; Goal Orientation; High School Students; Income; Job Satisfaction; Motivation; Recognition (Achievement); Reliability; Secondary school students; Self image; Stimulation; Structural Equation Models; Student Surveys; Surveys; Values; Work Attitudes; Australia; gifted adolescents; culture; occupational/career decision making; motivation
• ISSN: 0162-3532; 2162-9501
• DOI: 10.1177/0162353214529045

This study developed and empirically tested two related models of the occupational/career decision-making processes of gifted adolescents using a competing models strategy. The two models that guided the study, which acknowledged cultural orientations, social influences from the family, occupational/career values, and characteristics of intellectually gifted adolescents, differed in the manner in which the various constructs that form part of the occupational/career decision-making processes of gifted adolescents were sequenced. To collect data, the refined version of a rigorously developed survey instrument was administered to 687 adolescents attending three academically selective high schools in the Sydney metropolitan area (Australia). Data were analysed using confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation modeling procedures. The finally accepted model suggested that, generally, the occupational/career decision-making processes of gifted adolescents incorporate a predictive role for cultural orientation and an intermediary role for motivation-related values, in the formation of attitudes toward occupations, and in turn, intentions to pursue particular occupations. Some notable aspects of the model included a strong association between the valuing of interest or enjoyment in an occupation and a need for intellectual stimulation, and a negative predictive relationship between a desire to fulfill one's potential and occupational attitudes. [Author abstract]