Career Adapt-Abilities Scale-USA Form: Psychometric properties and relation to vocational identity

• Published in: Journal of vocational behavior Vol. 80; no. 3; pp. 748 - 753
• Main Authors: Porfeli, Erik J., Savickas, Mark L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Elsevier Inc 01.06.2012; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adaptability; Career adaptability; Career development; Career development planning; Careers; Factor Structure; Foreign Countries; Identification; Identity; Measures (Individuals); Occupational psychology; Occupational transitions; Psychometrics; Test Reliability; Test Validity; Validation studies; Vocational Adjustment; Vocational identity; United States > US; Career development; Career adaptability; Occupational transitions; Vocational identity
• ISSN: 0001-8791; 1095-9084
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jvb.2012.01.009

This article reports construction and initial validation of the United States form of the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale (CAAS). The CAAS consists of four scales, each with six items, which measure concern, control, curiosity, and confidence as psychosocial resources for managing occupational transitions, developmental tasks, and work traumas. Internal consistency estimates for the subscale and total scores ranged from good to excellent. The factor structure was quite similar to the one computed for combined data from 13 countries. An attempt to strengthen the subscale internal consistency estimates and coherence of the factor structure by adding additional items failed. In the end the USA Form is identical to the International Form. Concurrent validity evidence was collected relative to career identity, given that adaptability and identity have been identified as meta-competencies for career construction in information societies. Relations between career adaptability and vocational identity formation processes and status outcomes were as predicted. ► Defines career adaptability as a psychosocial resource. ► Reports construction of the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale-USA Form. ► Delineates psychometric characteristics of CAAS-USA. ► Examines relation of career adaptability to vocational identity.