Community strengths to career capacities: family support, authenticity and career decision-making self-efficacy in the lesbian, gay and bisexual community
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Date
2011-10-19
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Towson University. Department of Psychology
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There are no restrictions on access to this document. An internet release form signed by the author to display this document online is on file with Towson University Special Collections and Archives.
There are no restrictions on access to this document. An internet release form signed by the author to display this document online is on file with Towson University Special Collections and Archives.
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Abstract
Theories in career development and positive psychology have discussed the importance of career decision-making self-efficacy (CDMSE) for diverse groups; however, there has been little development in this area for the lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) community (Lent, Brown & Hackett, 1994; Perez, 2007; Taylor & Betz, 1983). Previous research has shown that LGB individuals may experience a disruption in career development as psychological energy could be focused on developing sexual identity (Hetherington, 1991). The present study sought to determine if strength-based characteristics, found among LGB individuals, such as authenticity, acceptance from others, and social support from friends and family, predicted CDMSE (Kernis & Goldman, 2006; Mohr & Fassinger, 2003; Procidano & Heller). Survey results from 55 LGB-identified individuals indicated that social support from family and need for acceptance accounted for a significant amount of the variance in CDMSE. Implications for research and career counseling are discussed.