The relationship between parental alcoholism and the vocational identity, occupational self-efficacy, and career decision-making status of university students

Date
1993
Authors
Isgro, Kathleen
Major Professor
Advisor
Douglas L. Epperson
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Altmetrics
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Research Projects
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Psychology
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Department
Psychology
Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to compare the vocational identity, occupational self-efficacy, and career decision-making status of Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOAs) and Adult Children of Nonalcoholics. Approximately one thousand undergraduate students were administered measures of personal, social, and vocational functioning. Data were analyzed for a sample of 91 ACOAs and 180 non-ACOAs. No between-group differences in vocational functioning were found, although ACOAs reported a greater level of family dysfunction than their counterparts from nonalcoholic homes. Personal and demographic variables were modest predictors of vocational functioning for the sample as a whole. The results of this study raised questions regarding the validity of the ACOA concept. Furthermore, despite its high internal reliability, it appears that for a large number of respondents, the Children of Alcoholics Screening Test (CAST) may be tapping constructs or dimensions other than those originally intended. Contemporary research needs and directions are discussed.

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