A literature review on the Career Development Inventory since 1979 found support for its sensitivity and specificity as a measure of readiness to make educational and vocational choices. Research is needed on its predictive validity. Revision should address increasing the reliability of the two cognitive scales. (63 references) (SK)

Reports cross-sectional data from 1,971 Australian adolescents who completed the Career Decision Scale and the Career Development Inventory. Results illustrate a developmental progression in career maturity, although a less uniform pattern emerged with gender differences. Findings regarding career indecision also presented a complex picture and…

A review of literature on three career development constructs--career maturity, career decision-making self-efficacy, and career indecision--identified the usefulness and validity of each and strengths and weaknesses of relevant research. A close relationship suggests they should be investigated together and more systematically. Revision of career…

As a reaction to the article by D. M. Tokar et al. (this issue), discusses the most pressing methodological and theoretical challenges embedded in the study of family relationship factors in the career decision making of college students. Reviews outstanding theoretical and empirical issues characteristic of structural equation modeling, with a…

In his comments regarding Tokar et al.'s article (this issue) Blustein offered several useful suggestions for future research in the area of relationship variables and career development and raised several concerns about the rationale for and use of structural equation modeling in testing their models. In this reply, the authors note points of…

Trends in conceptualization, instrumentation, and sampling in four career development research areas are charted: stage-based and process-oriented models, decision making, intervention evaluation, and organizational development/career orientation. Research reporting methods are analyzed, and suggestions for future research directions offered. (200…

A review of career assessment research identifies advances in several areas: measurement tools, career indecision, career maturity, self-efficacy, psychological constructs, special populations, and disability. Some populations are not well covered. A life-span perspective is increasingly common. Qualitative methods and more sampling beyond college…

Structural equation modeling was used to test theoretically based models in which psychological separation and attachment security variables were related to career indecision and those relations were mediated through vocational self-concept crystallization. Results indicated that some components of separation and attachment security did relate to…

Career decision making is a process that continues throughout the life span. But the process can be impeded by lack of occupational exploration, vocational indecision, and lack of realism in vocational choice. Each obstacle is examined and intervention strategies to assist in decision making are proposed. (Author)

Focuses on reasons why so few females hold leadership positions in physical education (PE) in Australian secondary schools. Results from in-depth interviews with 27 female PE educators reveal stereotypic attitudes and expectations regarding gender roles as barriers. Career decision making was found to be influenced by female instructors' personal…

Discusses the need for a better diagnostic approach to career indecision. Suggests a model for differential diagnosis and treatment containing three career indecision types or perspectives, i.e., developmental tasks, acute situational reactions, and chronic psychological concerns. Discusses problems of diagnostic measurement. (WAS)

Presents biographical information on Lenore White Harmon, noted professor, counselor, and researcher. In a question-and-answer section, Harmon describes her early career decisions, work history, research efforts, professional contributions, important influences and reflections on her career development. (KW)

Since career development extends through the life span, career assessment may be helpful to individuals of all ages. This paper explains the theoretical bases for career maturity and provides definitions and correlates of the construct of career maturity. School psychologists, who typically work with students-at-risk academically and socially,…

This review of research on lifespan approaches to career development finds that most studies focus on early career stages, fewer on middle to late adulthood. Research on work and nonwork domains (leisure, well-being, family) has increased in complexity and volume. Greater integration of these two strands is urged. (324 references) (SK)

Seeks to clarify the differences between traditional and dialectical perspectives on career development. Describes the application of a dialectical model to career evolution based on the assumption that an individual's work experiences and other life experiences exert an ongoing, reciprocal effect on career development. (Author)