A study of 287 undergraduates (149 from intact homes) showed that those from intact families displayed more career decidedness and financial connectedness to parents. Students with divorced parents had higher financial press and greater independence from fathers. Partial or limited support for separation/attachment theory was found. (Contains 47…

For 179 workers with family responsibilities, flexibility of work was associated with job satisfaction and family well-being, flexible work schedules were not. Supportive supervision was associated only with increased employee citizenship and did not increase work-family balance of those at risk. Family-friendly culture did not appear to benefit…

A study of 512 Canadian lawyers included 231 women (66% had mentors). Mentors influenced women's success in terms of earnings, promotions, procedural justice, social integration, and career satisfaction. Females with male mentors earned significantly more; females with male mentors had more satisfaction, less work-nonwork conflict, and more…

In a study of 852 nurses, work involvement (value of work in their lives) affected organizational and occupational commitment through its effect on job involvement. Job involvement indirectly affected intention to leave the organization or occupation. Work and job involvement and orgnanizational and occupational commitment were determined to be…

The perceptions of 522 employees regarding the family-supportive nature of their organization was related to number of benefits offered, benefit usage, supervisor support. These perceptions influenced job commitment, job satisfaction, and work-family conflict. Global perception of the work environment had more influence on attitudes and…

A study of 587 full-time faculty examined teaching practices and interpersonal climate of different departments using Holland's Environmental Identity Scale. Results supported the scale's reliability and discriminant validity but did not support the assumption that differences among workers in environments with clear identity are more pronounced…

A study of 283 workers showed that younger people, minorities, those who used flexible work arrangements, and those whose jobs required greater interdependence had more favorable perceptions of family-related benefits. Gender and children's ages influenced perceptions of the fairness of benefits. (Contains 37 references.) (SK)

Uses a sociopolitical framework to develop an inclusive and integrative psychology of working. Key elements emerging from strengths of vocational psychology include a focus on diversity and application of feminist thought. (Contains 45 references.) (SK)

The strengths of vocational psychology include quantitative foundations, theory-driven research, and focus on vocational assessment. Weaknesses are overemphasis on quantitative methods, lack of context, and class-bound perceptions of work. Threats include appropriation by related disciplines and the practice of vocational counseling by those…

The integrity of vocational psychology is threatened by poorly trained professionals and delivery of career assistance on the Internet without scientific foundation. The profession should renew linkages with related fields, restore training in psychological measurement, and prepare students in scientific methodology. (Contains 49 references.) (SK)

The interdisciplinary tradition of vocational psychology is a strength, but it has been slow to respond to technology. Strategic issues to be addressed include implications of human genome research, inclusion of goal setting and metacognition in career development, virtual work organizations, and time as an important dimension of career research.…

Vocational psychology research has understudied some issues and populations, missed linkages to other domains, and neglected contextual and cultural variables. Internet-based career services are both a threat and an opportunity. A revised mission statement and goals encompasses these gaps and opportunities and builds on traditional strengths.…

Key areas of future research in vocational psychology include changing organizational structures, changing career attitudes, diversity of career development opportunities, international focus, increasing diversity, changing nature of technology, evolving educational systems, increased entrepreneurship, work and family issues, and career-leisure…

Theoretical and empirical traditions of vocational psychology are an important resource and should be complemented by emerging perspectives such as postmodernism and qualitative methods. This would increase the field's ability to speak to diverse audiences and improve the relevance of research. (Contains 32 references.) (SK)

Although vocational psychology has diverse theoretical models and an empirical tradition, it is marginalized within counseling psychology. Its vitality is weakened by those who take a dabbler, pundit, or booster approach to scholarship. (Contains 46 references.) (SK)