Perceived career barriers and vocational outcomes among university undergraduates: Exploring mediation and moderation effects

This study explores the role of perceived internal and external career barriers on undergraduates' vocational outcomes, such as academic major satisfaction and vocational identity commitment. Moreover, it tests career adaptability as a moderator in the barriers-vocational outcomes link. The study was carried out in three public universities in Lithuania. In total, 288 first and second year undergraduate students took part in it. Results demonstrated internal but not external barriers to be negatively associated with undergraduates' vocational outcomes.     

Sex differences in coping with career decision making

Sex differences in coping with career decision making were investigated among 247 undergraduate students. Men and women differed on three of four coping factors. Men scored significantly higher on Self-Efficacy Behavior (p < .05) while women scored higher than men on Reactive Behavior (p < .01) and Support-Seeking Behavior (p < .001) strategies. Coping factors were investigated in relation to career decidedness. Although men and women differed on the coping factors, the pattern of relationships between coping and career indecision was virtually identical for both sexes. Self-Efficacy Behavior (Factor 1) was negatively related to career indecision while Symptom-Altering/Avoidant Behavior (Factor 2) was positively related to indecision for both men and women.     

Critical consciousness and career development among urban youth

This study explored the role of critical consciousness as a key factor in predicting progress in career development among urban high school students. Critical consciousness, or the capacity to recognize and overcome sociopolitical barriers, was operationalized through sociopolitical analysis and sociopolitical control. Canonical correlation analysis indicated a statistically significant relationship between critical consciousness and progress in career development, which was supported by estimates of effect size, for a sample of 220 urban adolescents. Participants with greater levels of critical consciousness had greater clarity regarding their vocational identity, were more committed to their future careers, and viewed work as a larger part of their future lives. These results suggest that urban adolescents may best engage the career development process by maintaining a critical awareness of sociopolitical inequity and situating their individual agency within this critical “reading” of the opportunity structure.     

Organization moderators of gender differences in career development: A facet classification

The literature on organizational factors that are relevant to gender differences in career development is characterized by conceptual complexity and a lack of integration among research studies, each of which examines a different single facet of the problem. In this study, the methodology of facet analysis is applied to the empirical literature on moderators of such gender differences, clarifying and organizing this complexity. Six facets pertaining to situational and individual variables are required to classify the existing empirical research to organization moderators of gender differences. The implications of the facet classification for the study of females' career development are discussed and hypotheses for future research are provided.     

Ethnic and gender subgroup differences in assessment center ratings: a meta-analysis

Assessment centers are widely believed to have relatively small standardized subgroup differences (d). However, no meta-analytic review to date has examined ds for assessment centers. The authors conducted a meta-analysis of available data and found an overall Black-White d of 0.52, an overall Hispanic-White d of 0.28, and an overall male-female d of -0.19. Consistent with our expectations, results suggest that Black-White ds in assessment center data may be larger than was previously thought. Hispanic-White comparisons were smaller than were Black-White comparisons. Females, on average, scored higher than did males in assessment centers. As such, assessment centers may be associated with more adverse impact against Blacks than is portrayed in the literature, but the predictor may have less adverse impact and be more "diversity friendly" for Hispanics and females.     

Positive youth development,thriving and social engagement: An analysis of gender differences in Spanish youth

The framework of Positive Youth Development (PYD) arose from a strength‐based conception of the transition to adulthood. Although previous literature has provided evidence for some PYD correlates, little is known about gender differences in PYD and its outcomes in thriving and social engagement, which could improve interventions” effectiveness. Thus, this study aimed to examine gender differences in PYD dimensions (i.e., competence, confidence, connection, caring, and character), individual thriving (i.e., psychological adjustment, academic adjustment, and healthy lifestyles) and social engagement, and to examine the associations between them. Data from the ‘PYD in a Cross‐National Perspective Project” in Spain were collected by administering a paper‐based self‐report to students from high school and university. Results showed greater scores in connection, caring, and character in women, as well as greater social engagement and academic adjustment. Men presented higher competence and confidence, more frequent physical activity and better psychological adjustment. In addition, more PYD was related to greater social engagement, better psychological and academic adjustment, and healthier lifestyles. Some practical implications for program design may be derived, which underscore the need to promote the five PYD dimensions equally in female and male youths in order to improve their individual thriving and social engagement.     

The relationship between gender,perceived career barriers,and occupational aspirations

The relationships between college student gender, perceived career barriers, and occupational aspirations were examined. Participants were 314 students located in the southeastern United States. Overall, college women reported higher levels of occupational aspirations than college men. While occupational aspirations were not correlated with perceived career barriers for women or men, women reported anticipating more barriers to their career advancement than their male peers. Perceived career barriers and the interaction between gender and perceived career barriers predicted occupational aspirations after controlling for gender, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and year in school. The relationship between occupational aspirations and the interaction between gender and perceived career barriers in college‐age adults enhances our understanding of occupational aspirations.     

Reconsidering the “aspiration–expectation gap” and assumed gender differences among urban youth

The present study investigated the relevance of the “aspiration–expectation gap” and traditional gender differences among urban youth in middle school and high school (N = 294). Results failed to indicate a significant difference between the occupational prestige levels of aspired and expected careers, but did indicate a significant difference between aspired and expected levels of education. In general, the proportion of girls significantly outweighed the proportion of boys in traditionally “masculine” occupations with high levels of prestige; girls also had higher levels of occupational prestige than boys in terms of careers they hoped and expected to obtain. Black and bi/multi-racial youth expected to have higher levels of education than White youth.     

Anxiety sensitivity taxonicity across gender among youth

The present investigation comparatively evaluated the latent class structure and parameters of anxiety sensitivity (AS) among female and male youth using the Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index. Participants were 4462 adolescents (2189 females) in grades 7-12 (M(age)=15.6 years). Consistent with prediction, taxometric analyses indicated the latent structure of AS was taxonic in both males and females, demonstrating the taxonic latent structure of AS is similarly observed across gender. Also consistent with prediction, the base rate of the AS taxon differed between genders -- higher for females (12%) compared to males (7%). These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for the study of AS and panic vulnerability among youth.     

Implications of sex and gender differences for self: Perceived advantages and disadvantages of being the other gender

Undergraduate students (34 females and 28 males/44 Caucasian, 16 African-American, 2 Asian) were asked to list the advantages and the disadvantages that they imagined they would experience if they were the other gender. A separate group of undergraduate raters then classified each of the statements into one of four categories designed to reflect social (social roles or social appearance) or physical differences (sexual or non-sexual physical differences) between the sexes. The number of responses each participant generated within each category served as the dependent variable. By far the largest number of responses pertained to the social roles category, and there were no participant gender differences for that category. Participant gender differences were observed in the social appearance and sexual physical difference categories, indicating males and females agreement that males have more advantages. Overall, females listed more advantages to a change in gender, while males indicated more disadvantages. Results are interpreted as providing insights into the personal and practical implications of differences between males and females.The authors would like to acknowledge Tiffany Capers and Millard McCluney for their assistance in collecting the data.     

Perceived need for resources: Some differences among groups

Perceived need for interpersonal resources (status, love, services, goods, money and information) was examined in two studies. In the first study drug addicts, prostitutes, alcoholics and motorcycle racers were compared with a control group drawn from the general population. In the second investigation outpatients with medical complaints, alcoholic impatients and drug addict outpatients all treated at a VA hospital were compared with a control group of males drawn from the general population. After patialling out the effects of age and education, both studies showed significant differences among the groups in their expressed need for status, love, services and information. Conversely, no major differences were found in the need for goods and money. The prostitutes in the first study and the addicts of both studies showed the highest need level. The relevance of these findings to the treatment and prevention of social problems is discussed.     

Explaining sex differences in managerial career satisfier preferences: the role of gender self-schema

Using survey data from 400 managers, the authors examined whether gender self-schema would explain sex differences in preferences for status-based and socioemotional career satisfiers. Female gender self-schema, represented by femininity and family role salience, completely mediated the relationship between managers' sex and preferences for socioemotional career satisfiers. However, male gender self-schema, represented by masculinity and career role salience, did not mediate the relationship between managers' sex and preferences for status-based career satisfiers. As expected, male managers regarded status-based career satisfiers as more important and socioemotional career satisfiers as less important than female managers did. The proposed conceptualization of male and female gender self-schemas, which was supported by the data, enhances understanding of adult self-schema and work-related attitudes and behavior.     

Perceived similarity and understanding in dyadic coping among young and mature couples

The study examined perceived similarity and understanding in dyadic coping among 197 young and 192 mature couples. Perceived similarity and understanding were computed through a dyad‐centered approach. To separate 2 equally important components of dyadic congruence (i.e., unique and stereotypical similarity) stereotype adjusted and unadjusted scores were computed. Results indicated that stereotype effects were higher among young couples than among mature couples; perceived stereotypical similarity was higher in young couples than in mature couples and stereotypical and partner‐specific understanding were higher in mature couple relationships. Stereotypical understanding was positively associated with relationship quality but only among mature couples. Partner‐specific understanding was not associated with relationship quality in mature couples, but it was negatively associated with relationship quality in young couples.     

Stress and coping among gay men: age and ethnic differences

Previous studies suggest that perceived stigmatization of sexual minority status, ethnicity, and age are associated with negative mental health outcomes, and other studies suggest that coping styles may influence these outcomes. However, no studies have examined these relationships among gay men of varying ethnicities and age groups. Three hundred eighty-three Black and White, younger, middle-aged, and older adult gay men completed measures of perceived stigmatization, coping style, and mental health outcomes. Black older adult gay men reported significantly higher levels of perceived ageism than the older White group, significantly higher levels of perceived racism than the younger Black group, significantly higher levels of homonegativity than the younger Black and the White groups, and were more likely to use disengaged coping styles than White gay men. However, Black older adult gay men did not experience significantly higher levels of negative mental health outcomes. Results suggest that further research should examine how older Black gay men, who perceive higher levels of stigma while reporting greater use of less effective coping styles, do not appear to be experiencing more negative mental health outcomes as a result.     

Cognitive gender differences among Israeli children

The study investigated gender differences among 11,000 Israeli children in Grades 4–6 with respect to verbal, spatial, and mathematical ability, as measured by 12 intelligence tests. Consistent differences in score variance were found across grades for 11 of the 12 tests. In each of these tests the variance for boys exceeded that for girls by 10%–20%. With respect to mean achievement, consistent cross-grade differences were found only for mathematical ability, where boys had the edge (about 0.20 SD). These findings diverge from those of recent American studies, which found no gender differences in any of these realms. Furthermore, they differ from the results of earlier Israeli studies in that the gender gap is limited to mathematical ability, and its size is much smaller. The revealed gender gap can be partially attributed to differences in response strategy: girls were found to be more likely to skip items for which they lack an answer (i.e., to take fewer risks in guessing). This implies that the performance of girls on intelligence tests will improve if they are encouraged to dare to guess.This research was supported by the Henrietta Szold Research Institute. We thank Nora Cohen for providing the data base; Lavee Artman, Kalman Binyamini, Nora Cohen, Eyal Gamliel, and two anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments on previous drafts; and Helene Hogri for the editorial revisions.     

Interactions with senior managers: Perceived differences by race/ethnicity and by gender

Differences among junior managers in their perceptions of various types of interactions with senior managers and levels of self-efficacy in initiating interactions were investigated. Study variables were determined following preliminary focus group interviews. These variables were subjected to a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANACOVA) to assess differences among the various racial, ethnic, and gender groups. Data were derived from a 53% response rate to a survey of 3106 junior managers in a Fortune 500 company. Subjects included Asian men (n = 29), Asian women (n = 21), Black men (n = 94), Black women (n = 84), Hispanic men (n = 28), Hispanic women (n = 18), White men (n = 708), and White women (n = 647). Results reveal that women perceived having less access to career-related interactions and to informal interactions with senior managers. Women also reported lower levels of self-efficacy in their personal skills and abilities in informal social activities. Black managers presented higher levels of self-efficacy related to initiating career-related interactions than White managers and Asian managers. Asian managers reported lower levels of self-efficacy related to initiating informal interactions with senior managers than Black, Hispanic, and White managers. Findings suggest that gender has a stronger influence than race or ethnicity on the nature of interactions with senior managers within this organization.This research was funded by a Susquehanna University Research Grant. The authors would like to thank Stacy Ross for her assistance with data collection and Richard K. Caputo, Paul Dion, and two anonymous reviewers for their comments on an earlier version of this article.     

Assessing gender differences in the relationship between religious coping responses and alcohol consumption

The purpose of this study is to see if the use of religious coping responses is associated with alcohol intake. In addition, tests are conducted to see if the relationship between religion and alcohol use varies by gender. Data from a recent nationwide survey (N?=?2173) indicate that greater use of religious coping responses is associated with less alcohol consumption. The findings further reveal that even though women use religious coping responses more often than men, the relationship between the use of religious coping responses and alcohol consumption is stronger for men than for women. This suggests that, with respect to alcohol consumption, men may benefit more from using religious coping responses than women. The theoretical implications of these results are discussed.