Investigated the academic self-concept of 130 college students age 50 and older who were in career transition to identify their perceptions of their academic abilities and the teaching and learning environment. In general, subjects were extremely positive about themselves and their competencies. Physical changes, such as dimensional perceptual…

Used the National Longitudinal Survey of the Labor Market Experiences of Young Women to examine the work history of 533 women. Findings indicated that employment expectations significantly increased the length of women's employment. Marital and fertility variables differed considerably for those who planned employment for midlife. (JAC)

Personnel administrators (N=23) were interviewed to explore their attitudes and thoughts about mid-life career redirection. Information was gathered on advantages and disadvantages of career change, and specific advice presented in response to typical case studies. (RC)

Develops a framework of factors that influence the midcareer satisfaction of professional women, delineating key demographic, career, organizational, job, and stress factors. After providing a research background and describing the framework, the article dissects the framework and defines and develops propositions for each key dimension,…

Social scientists have traditionally assumed that marriage and widowhood are the crucial life events for women, and that retirement has no effect on women's social relationships. To explore the relationship between women's work status and perception of peer and power relationships, a thematic apperceptive procedure was used. A sample of 1,428…

This document is the final technical report of a study concerned with career transitions of women in professional occupations. The report was written to examine: (1) distinctive factors in women's career development related to their occupational concentration in typically female occupations; (2) midlife career transitions in general and in…

Past research has examined middle adulthood as a developmental process with outcomes predictive of development into old age. A study was undertaken to explore adult psychological and career development from an ecological perspective taking into account factors that influence and modify self-perception, values, identity, and social interaction. A…

This report presents the findings from a study to describe how Americans in transition study for college credit and to establish the extent of degree versus nondegree study. Introductory materials discuss why and how the study was made and the annual rate of adult credit study. Part I describes the demographic characteristics of the 1,000 adults…

A 1981 study was conducted to explore and modify both sentiment concerning retirement and its effects on career plans. The study's three principal components were a questionnaire mailed to a sample of 1002 University of Washington nonacademic staff members aged 36 through 55, a "mid-career planning" workshop for 75 questionnaire respondents, and a…

Conceptualization of the lives of adult women and the forces affecting their well-being have concentrated on five constructs: (1) chronological age; (2) menopause and the empty nest; (3) marital status; (4) parity; and (5) multiple role involvement as a source of stress. A re-examination of these variables focused on the concerns and…

Occupational status is a key component of identity and self-worth for men. But little research has been done on the influence of working status on women, particularly during life cycle transitions or periods of crisis. To examine the impact of employment status on the self-esteem, psychological well-being and physical health of women at mid-life,…

Use of the term "crisis" to define the midlife era suggests a limited sense of choice and control. The term "transition," however, emphasizes a process of change and suggests that the individual has both choice and power to grow and develop. An open-ended questionnaire was sent to professionals (N=42) in medical, psychological, sociological, and…

Describes a staff development project to sensitize job service counselors to the needs and employment problems of older rural jobseekers and to develop a model in-service project. Counselor response to the program was positive. Applicant surveys showed older rural job seekers generally lack good job-seeking skills. (JAC)

In a study of 22 male and 3 female faculty from various disciplines, most agreed that information and assistance were needed for faculty career development. Opinions of existing programs and facilities varied greatly. Opportunities to process and maximize benefits of such events as travel and leaves were welcomed. (MSE)

Draws on a life course perspective and event history methods to analyze factors affecting women's school reentry following marriage and motherhood. Uses panel data on 313 women born between 1905 and 1933 who were interviewed in 1956 and 1986. School reentry was positively related to higher levels of prior education, nontraditional gender-role…