engleski

Vocational identity status of Croatian adolescents

The aim of this study was to examine vocational identity status of Croatian adolescents, and to identify metric characteristics of Vocational Identity Status Assessment (VISA - Croatian version). The VISA encompass three identity dimensions: commitment, exploration and reconsideration of commitment, and can identify six vocational identity statuses: achieved, foreclosed, diffused, moratorium, searching moratorium and undifferentiated. We have assessed 801 Croatian high school students who attended first (age 14 to 15) and fourth grade (age 17 to 18). According to the data obtained from the factor analysis clear six factor structure was confirmed. Age and gender differences on scales, dimensions and identity statuses are mainly in line with theoretical expectations. Fourth grade students achieved higher results on commitment scale and lower results on flexibility and in-breath exploration scales in comparison to first grade students. Furthermore, they were more likely to occupy the foreclosed, achieved and diffused statuses but less the moratorium status. Female students achieved better results on commitment identification and in-depth exploration scales. Participants in searching moratorium status accomplished better school achievement than participants in moratorium status. Moratorium and foreclosed statuses respectively exhibited the least and most favourable characteristics considering career decision-making. The rest of vocational identity statuses did not differ and could be placed between the moratorium and foreclosed groups. The only exception was undifferentiated participants whose career decision-making characteristics were similar to the moratorium group. The study results confirm validity of the VISA questionnaire and justify its application for career counselling in Croatia.

vocational identity; VISA; age and gender differences; career maturity; school achievement; career decision-making

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