Researchers from 13 countries collaborated in constructing a psychometric scale to measure career adaptability. Based on four pilot tests, a research version of the proposed scale consisting of 55 items was field tested in 13 countries. The resulting Career Adapt-Abilities Scale (CAAS) consists of four scales, each with six items. The four scales…

This article reports construction and initial validation of the United States form of the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale (CAAS). The CAAS consists of four scales, each with six items, which measure concern, control, curiosity, and confidence as psychosocial resources for managing occupational transitions, developmental tasks, and work traumas.…

Based on the standard error of measurement, Holland (1985) suggested the "rule of eight" for determining the meaningfulness of differences between two summary scores on the Self Directed Search. The present study empirically examined the rule's validity for practice. The participants were 2397 (1497 females and 900 males) undergraduate students…

An empirical measurement model for interest inventory construction uses internal criteria whereas an inductive measurement model uses external criteria. The empirical and inductive measurement models are compared and contrasted and then two models are assessed through tests of the effectiveness and economy of scales for the Medical Specialty…

At the beginning of the 21st century, a new social arrangement of work poses a series of questions and challenges to scholars who aim to help people develop their working lives. Given the globalization of career counseling, we decided to address these issues and then to formulate potentially innovative responses in an international forum. We used…

To improve vocational psychology research, researchers should reconsider the meaning of career, adopt longitudinal designs for research on career development, and concentrate first on developmental processes and then on the context of careers. (SK)

Empirical relations of scores for similar and same-named scales on five interest inventories were examined. Analysis of multitrait/multimethod matrices found modest correlations and convergent and discriminant validity. Homogenous scales correlated higher than heterogenous scales. Results support the assertion that inventories are only partial…

Synthesizes articles in this special issue into objectives to fulfil vocational psychology's mission: reaffirm research as core activity, articulate the research agenda, forge links with related fields, bridge science and practice, diversify epistemology, make the research focus more inclusive, adapt to work changes, and commit to recruitment and…

In a study of 10th graders (15 experimentals, 15 controls) and college freshmen (12 and 13), experimentals received the Time Perspective Modification Intervention, which helps link present behavior with future outcomes. Experimentals showed significant increases in future orientation, sense of continuity, and optimism and had more highly developed…

A study of 239 college freshmen found that those who perceived themselves as effective, competent, and in control of their leisure time had a clearer picture of occupational goals, interests, and talents. Those more committed to their leisure role displayed greater competence in career decision making and exploration. (SK)

Investigated the hypothesis that time perspective is a component in vocational maturity and career decision making with college freshmen (N=97). Results supported the hypothesis and specifically linked time perspective to planfulness and degree of indecision. (LLL)

Examined validity of Adult Career Concerns Inventory (ACCI) and Career Adjustment and Development Inventory (CADI) as measures of adult vocational development by comparing responses of 124 salespeople to inventories and to measures of work adjustment. CADI clearly seemed to measure vocational development; ACCI seemed to measure concern about…

Evaluates the Medical Career Development Inventory, a measure of career maturity, with student-physicians (N=160). Results indicated that it is possible to construct a measure of vocational development for a population of adults encountering a common set of vocational development tasks. (LLL)

Investigated the association of vocational identity with vocational development by administering the Vocational Identity Scale, the Medical Career Development Inventory, and the Ego Identity Scale to 143 first- and second-year college students with the same career aspiration. Results indicated that vocational identity related to both degree of…

A measure of specialty indecision was administered to 567 medical students along with measures of vocational development and exploratory behavior. Initial evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Specialty Indecision Scale indicate that it is internally consistent, relates more to specialty choice than to career choice, and inversely…