The Relationship Between Vocational Self-Concept, Ego-Identity Development, and Vocational Decision-Making

Jeffrey R. Landine

Authors

Jeffrey R. Landine University of New Brunswick

Keywords:

relationship, self-concept, ego-identity, decision-making, university, post-secondary, students

Abstract

Occupational decisionmaking is an ongoing concern with university students and knowing what developmental tasks facilitate the process can make this particular problemsolving task easier. The present study explored the connection between vocational self-concepts, ego-identity and career indecision. Participants (N=202) were university students enrolled in an Introductory Psychology class. Correlational and regression analyses revealed a strong negative relationship between vocational self-concept crystallization and occupational indecision and a more moderate negative relationship between advanced identity status and career indecision. These results make a case for the importance of a vocational identity in the developmental and career decision-making process. Limitations and implications for future research and practice are discussed.

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