Family Interaction Patterns as Predictors of Vocational Identity and Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy

The present study explored the relations of perceived family-of-origin interaction patterns (e.g., quality of family relationships, family-supported goal orientations, and degree of control and organization in the family) to vocational identity and career decision-making self-efficacy. A sample of 210 college students completed family-of-origin and vocational self-report measures. Using standard multiple regression analyses, significant variance was accounted for in vocational identity scores by achievement orientation in the family. Significant variance in career decision-making self-efficacy scores was accounted for by a number of family variables including achievement, intellectual–cultural, and moral–religious emphasis orientations and degree of family conflict and expressiveness. The findings suggest that family-of-origin interaction patterns may play small, yet significant roles in the formulation of clear and stable career goals and the promotion of self-confidence in regard to completing career planning activities. These findings warrant further empirical examination of the family systems approach to young adult career development.