College students were assigned to three groups: Strong Interest Inventory (SII) plus social cognitive group feedback (n=52), SII only (n=22), and controls (n=25). The feedback group had higher career decision-making self-efficacy and more differentiated career beliefs than the SII-only group. Both SII groups were more likely to see the…

The Career Decision Making Self Efficacy Scale is based on self-efficacy and career maturity theories and research showing the strong relationship of career self-efficacy to career indecision. The scale is useful in designing and evaluating education and counseling interventions intended to increase perceptions of self-efficacy. (SK)

Examined ethnic group and social class differences in 401 college students' career development. Statistical analyses revealed no significant social class differences in career development. Ethnic group differences were observed, including significant differences in career decision-making attitudes and vocational congruence. (Author/NB)

College freshmen were divided into three groups: (1) 28 completed the Self-Directed Search and attended a 50-minute career exploration workshop based on it; (2) 28 completed the Career Decision-Making System-Revised (CDM-R) and attended a similar workshop; and (3) 28 were controls. CDM-R significantly increased knowledge of decision-making…

Congruent career aspirations and current occupations of 61 undergraduates were significantly related to career locus of control but not to age or career decision-making self-efficacy. The latter was associated with age and year in college. (SK)

A study examined the relationship between perceived occupational barriers and career decision-making (CDM) attitudes, knowledge of CDM principles, and CDM self-efficacy of 188 college students. Findings indicate that the perception of occupational barriers may not negatively influence the career development process. (Author/JOW)

Three studies of college students (n=178, 129, and 96) evaluated the reliability and validity of the Assessment of Attributions for Career Decision-Making instrument. Factor analysis supported a three-factor structure. The instrument demonstrated adequate internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct, criterion, and incremental…

Administered measures of demographics and career-decision-making (CDM) self-efficacy to 233 undergraduates. CDM self-efficacy was moderately and positively related to CDM attitudes and age of participants but was not related to CDM skills. CDM attitudes were significantly predicted by CDM skills, CDM self-efficacy, and age; CDM skills were…

Applied Campbell and Fiske's multitrait, multimethod analysis to scores from 3 measures of career development (Attitude Scale of Career Maturity Inventory, Vocational Preference Inventory, and Decision-Making Scale of Career Development Inventory) completed by 129 college students. Table of multitrait, multimethod correlation coefficients for the…

The recent application of Weiner's attribution theory to the career exploration and planning process has resulted in a series of investigations designed to assist college students to develop an optimistic attributional style for career decision making. This paper undertakes a comprehensive review of three attributional retraining investigations…

Provides a thorough psychometric evaluation of the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale. Provides a summary of the initial construction and development of the scale, followed by a comprehensive review of the results from various investigations on its reliability and validity. Concludes with ideas for additional research. (JPS)

Data from 50 nontraditional and 104 traditional community college students showed more mature career decision-making attitudes among the older students. However, both groups displayed anxiety and lack of confidence about successful completion of career decision-making tasks. (SK)

Study evaluates the effects of both performance accomplishment and vicarious learning experiences on the math/science self-efficacy and career interests, goals, and actions of career-undecided college students. Undergraduate participants were assigned one of four treatment conditions for the study. Theoretical and counseling implications of the…

Examined whether 60 college students, grouped according to their career locus of control, were differentially affected by a videotaped career intervention designed to persuade students to attribute low levels of confidence in making career decisions and career-related failures to a lack of effort. Discusses results. (FC)

Presents overview of the primary components of Lent, Brown, and Hackett's social cognitive career theory and Weiner's attribution theory as they relate to career-related barriers. Discusses implications associated with each approach. Suggests that counselors need to help clients distinguish between barriers for which personal control and…