Vocational Identity and Its Relationship with Subsequent Job Search: A Person-centered Approach for University Students in China

Abstract

Vocational identity (VI) is considered one of the most important developmental tasks for adolescents and emerging adults in both vocational psychology and Erikson’s psychosocial development theory. However, important limitations existed with its empirical studies. Specifically, the most widely adopted conceptualizations of vocational identity were criticized for being simplistic and static. Moreover, the majority of the studies were on youths in the industrialized western context, leaving the questions of the cultural variations in vocational identity development largely unanswered. In addition, there has been little systematic research that link VI development to subsequent career behaviors and outcomes, especially those during the transition to adulthood.

Based on this background, the current study adopted the most recent process-oriented model of VI development that is promising in overcoming the weakness of earlier conceptualizations to achieve two major research objectives. First, to empirically identify and validate VI statuses among Chinese university students in compare with initial findings in other contexts. Second, to make the first initiative to test with longitudinal design the impact of VI status on various important aspects of job search of final year university students in China, including job search self-efficacy, job search intensity and strategies.

To achieve the research purpose, 1076 university students took part in the study, with 786 final year students. Vocational identity status was identified with the whole sample. Consistent with findings in other countries, six statuses were identified. However, the six VI statuses showed unique configurations in the current context. Specifically, achieved status, low profile achieved, searching moratorium, diffused diffusion, career free diffusion and undifferentiated were identified. The predictive validity of the statuses was initially supported in that the statuses showed significant differences in hope, core self-evaluations, negative emotions and work attitudes in ways consistent with theoretical prediction. The 786 final year students in the overall sample were followed up into their job search 3 months later, with around 325 valid responses in the second time. ANOVA and MANOVA results showed that the six VI statuses significantly differ in levels of subsequent job search self-efficacy. Though ANOVA results were not significant for job search intensity and job search strategies, post hoc analysis did suggest differences between certain statuses. The findings contribute to the cross- cultural understanding of VI status and add to the understanding of the job search performance of each VI status in the transition from university to work. The implications of the findings for theory building in VI study and job search study are discussed along with implications for career guidance and counseling for university students in China.

Date of Award	15 Jan 2018
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	City University of Hong Kong
Supervisor	Wai Leung Raysen CHEUNG (Supervisor)