Various factors have shown to relate to different forms of career commitment (i.e., affective, continuance, and normative commitment). Commitment has been associated with intent to remain within a profession or organization, suggesting that commitment is an important component of career retention. Correspondingly, commitment to one's academic…

This study investigated the relationship between personality types and career choices of undergraduate students of Moi University. In Kenya, students are allowed to revise their career choices at various levels of education before they settle on one course of study in the University. The process of choosing careers begins in form three where…

A career interest inventory, the Chinese Career Key (CCK) adapted from the Career Key based on Holland's theory of vocational choice, was studied. The purpose of the study was to further examine the psychometric qualities and user satisfaction of the CCK by comparing it to the Self-Directed Search. Students at a girls' public high school (N = 130)…

This study explored the differences on variables of satisfaction, self-concept, self-acceptance, and vocational maturity between freshmen students who made congruent and incongruent occupational choices. Findings suggest that subjects in the congruent male group tend to report better maintenance of personal stability and greater satisfaction than…

Examined personality patterns and work attitudes of Canadian and Californian accountants. Using the Self Directed Search Scales, combinations of conventional, enterprising and social types were found most frequently. Scores on these types were related to organizational and professional commitments and vocational satisfaction. (Author/JAC)

High school students took the Self Directed Search twice: (1) counselor-scored paper and online (n=31); (2) self-scored paper and online (n=42); (3) online at school twice (n=46); and (4) online at home (n=31). Content validity and reliability of the online version were supported, and users were more satisfied. Online resulted in higher profiles.…

Administered Self-Directed Search to sewing machine operators to determine Holland code, and assessed work productivity, job satisfaction, absenteeism, and insurance claims. Most workers were of the Social code. Social subjects were the most satisfied, Conventional and Realistic subjects next, and subjects of other codes less so. Productivity of…

Undergraduate college students (N=40) were asked to rate their reactions to using the DISCOVER II microcomputer career guidance system and the Self-Directed Search. The majority of the participants preferred the DISCOVER II as a vocational exploration program. (Author)

Examined the concurrent validity of Holland's theory for men and women employed in an enterprising occupation as well as the degree of personality-environment correspondence and relationships of personality type to job satisfaction. Findings suggested that within an employed sample, Holland's theory is valid for women as well as for men. (Author)

Satisfaction with Holland's Self-Directed Search (SDS) was measured using a sample of college freshmen, dichotomized on Rotter's construct of locus of control and Holland's construct of differentiation. Results support the prediction that internally controlled individuals would be more satisfied with the SDS than externally controlled students.…

Holland's Self-Directed Search (SDS) was used as a tool for comparing the typical personalities of full- and part-time adult basic education (ABE) teachers, the correlation between interclass and intraclass relationships of the six personality types for full- and part-time ABE teachers, and the correlation between personality type and job…

Tested the relationship between congruency and academic achievement in 157 Canadian vocational high school students who completed Holland's Self Directed Search. The resulting summary code was compared for congruency using Holland's Occupations Finder. Significant relationships were found between congruent and non-congruent frequencies and between…

The two forms were equivalent. There was no difference between subjects' overall preference for one form or the other. However, women and students with higher grades tended to prefer the board. (Author/JAC)

Published research on vocational interests and personality has not often assessed the characteristics of workers and the work environment in blue-collar, women-dominated industries. This study administered the Self-Directed Search (Form E) to 318 sewing machine operators in three clothing factories. Holland codes, productivity, job satisfaction,…

This study compares effects on high school students (N=959) of the Self Directed Search (SDS), the Vocational Preference Inventory (VPI), and no treatment. Students taking the SDS or the VPI evaluated the instruments, felt more satisfied with current occupational choices, and considered more occupational alternatives. Differences between the…