Abstract
This study focused on the relations between vocational identity, future orientation, and resilience. Southern Italian high school students (N = 342) were assessed using the Vocational Identity Scale Assessment (VISA) and Design My Future to evaluate future orientation and resilience. Future orientation and resilience were correlated positively with commitment making, identification with commitment and exploration, and negatively with vocational flexibility and self-doubt. A cluster analysis revealed six aspects of vocational identity, whose relations with future orientation and resilience are explored. The results can support career programs in high school environments aimed to develop vocational identity construction, and provide suggestions for orientation programs.
Résumé
Orientation future, résilience et identité vocationnelle chez les adolescents du sud de l’Italie Cette étude s’est intéressée aux relations entre l’identité vocationnelle, l’orientation future et la résilience. Les élèves du secondaire du sud de l’Italie (N = 342) ont été évalués à l’aide de l’échelle Vocational Identity Scale Assessment (VISA) et de l’échelle Design My Future pour évaluer l’orientation future et la résilience. L’orientation future et la résilience étaient corrélées positivement avec l’engagement, l’identification à l’engagement et l’exploration, et négativement avec la flexibilité de l’engagement et le doute vis-à-vis de soi. Une analyse en cluster a révélé 6 aspects de l’identité vocationnelle dont leurs relations avec l’orientation future et la résilience sont explorées. Les résultats soutiennent la mise en place des programmes de carrière dans les lycées visant à développer la construction de l’identité professionnelle et à fournir des suggestions pour des programmes d’orientation.
Zusammenfassung
Zukunftsorientierung: Resilienz und berufliche Identität bei süditalienischen Adoleszenten Die Studie untersucht die Beziehungen zwischen beruflicher Identität, Zukunftsorientierung und Resilienz. Süditalienische Gymnasiasten/-innen (N = 342) wurden mit dem Vocational Identity Scale Assessment (VISA) und dem psychometrischen Fragebogen Design my Future befragt um Zukunftsorientierung und Resilienz zu untersuchen. Zukunftsorientierung und Resilienz waren positiv mit Commitment korreliert, berufliche Identität mit Commitment und Exploration, negativ mit beruflicher Flexibilität und Selbstzweifeln. Eine Clusteranalyse ergab sechs Typen von beruflicher Identität, deren Beziehungen mit Zukunftsorientierung und Resilienz untersucht werden. Die Ergebnisse liefern Hinweise für die Gestaltung von Laufbahnprogrammen an Gymnasien, welche die Herausbildung beruflicher Identität zum Ziel haben und erlauben Vorschläge für berufliche Orientierungsprogramme.
Resumen
Orientación futura, resiliencia e identidad profesional en adolescentes del sur de Italia Este estudio se centra en las relaciones entre la identidad profesional, la orientación futura y la resiliencia. Estudiantes de la escuela secundaria del sur de Italia (N = 342) fueron evaluados utilizando la Escala de Evaluación de la Identidad Vocacional (VISA) y Design My Future para valorar la orientación futura y resiliencia. La orientación futura y la resiliencia se correlacionaron positivamente con la toma de compromiso, la identificación con el compromiso y la exploración, y negativamente con la flexibilidad profesional y la auto-duda. Un análisis de clúster reveló 6 aspectos de la identidad profesional, cuyas relaciones con la orientación futura y la resiliencia son exploradas en este artículo. Los resultados pueden apoyar programas profesionales en entornos de la escuela secundaria destinados a desarrollar la construcción de identidad vocacional, y proporcionar sugerencias para programas de orientación.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
Italy is the country with the highest percentage of persons not in employment, education or training (NEET) in the EU (19.9%; EU zone: 11.5%), and a third for youth unemployment (37.8%; Esde, 2017).
References
Adams, J. (2009). The mediating role of time perspective in socio-economic inequalities in smoking and physical activity in older English adults. Journal of Health Psychology, 14(6), 794–799. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105309338979.
Aleni Sestito, L., & Sica, L. S. (2010). Identity formation during the transition from high school to university: Processual dimensions and styles. Rassegna Di Psicologia, 3(3), 59–82.
Aleni Sestito, L., Sica, L. S., Ragozini, G., Porfeli, E., Weisblat, G., & Di Palma, T. (2015). Vocational and overall identity: A person-centered approach in Italian university students. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 91, 157–169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2015.10.001.
Arnett, J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American Psychologist, 55(5), 469. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.5.469.
Aronowitz, T. (2005). The role of “envisioning the future” in the development of resilience among at-risk youth. Public Health Nursing, 22(3), 200–208. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0737-1209.2005.220303.x.
Arthur, M. B., & Rousseau, D. M. (1996). The boundaryless career: A new employment principle for a new organizational era (pp. 3–20). New York: Oxford University Press.
Atance, C. M., & Meltzoff, A. N. (2005). My future self: Young children’s ability to anticipate and explain future states. Cognitive Development, 20(3), 341–361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cogdev.2005.05.001.
Atance, C. M., & O’Neill, D. K. (2001). Episodic future thinking. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 5(12), 533–539. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1364-6613(00)01804-0.
Bandura, A. (1986). From thought to action-mechanisms of personal agency. New Zealand Journal of Psychology, 15(1), 1–17.
Barto, H., Lambert, S., & Brott, P. (2015). Career adaptability, resiliency and perceived obstacles to career development of adolescent mothers. The Professional Counselor, 5(1), 53–66.
Bulgarelli, A. (2012). Il lifelong learning come risposta al decline delle skills [Lifelong learning as a solution to skills’ decline]. Osservatorio Isfol, 2, 11–24.
Camuffo, M. (2007). Resilienza e salute mentale in età evolutiva [Resilience and mentalhealth in developmentalage]. Psichiatria dell’infanzia e dell’adolescenza, 74, 22–36.
Chartrand, J. M., Robbins, S. B., Morrill, W. H., & Boggs, K. (1990). Development and validation of the Career Factors Inventory. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 37(4), 491.
Collin, A., & Guichard, J. (2010). Constructing self in career theory and counseling interventions. In P. J. Hartung & L. M. Subich (Eds.), Constructing self in work and career (pp. 89–106). Washington, DC: APA Books.
Côté, J. E. (1996). Sociological perspectives on identity formation: The culture–identity link and identity capital. Journal of Adolescence, 19(5), 417–428. https://doi.org/10.1006/jado.1996.0040.
Crocetti, E., Klimstra, T., Keijsers, L., Hale, W. W., & Meeus, W. (2009). Anxiety trajectories and identity development in adolescence: A five-wave longitudinal study. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 38(6), 839–849. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-008-9302-y.
Crocetti, E., Rabaglietti, E., & Sica, L. S. (2012). Personal identity in Italy. New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development, 2012, 87–102. https://doi.org/10.1002/cad.20023.
Crocetti, E., Rubini, M., Luyckx, K., & Meeus, W. (2008). Identity formation in early and middle adolescents from various ethnic groups: From three dimensions to five statuses. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 37, 983–996. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-007-9222-2.
Di Maggio, I., Ginevra, M. C., Nota, L., & Soresi, S. (2016). Development and validation of an instrument to assess future orientation and resilience in adolescence. Journal of adolescence, 51, 114–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.06.005.
Di Palma, T., Sica L. S., Aleni Sestito, L., & Ragozini, G. (2015). Validazione Italiana del Vocational Identity Status Assessment per Adolescenti. Poster presented at XXXVIII Congresso Nazionale, Sezione di Psicologia dello Sviluppo e dell’Educazione, Parma, 24–26 Settembre 2015.
Erikson, E. H. (1959). Identity and the life cycle: Selected papers. Psychological Issues, 1, 1–71.
Ferrari, L., Nota, L., & Soresi, S. (2010). Time perspective and indecision in young and older adolescents. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 38(1), 61–82. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069880903408612.
Fugate, M., Kinicki, A. J., & Ashforth, B. E. (2004). Employability: A psycho-social construct, its dimensions, and applications. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 65(1), 14–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2003.10.005.
Gore, P. A. J. (2000). Cluster analysis. In H. E. A. Tinsley & S. D. Brown (Eds.), Handbook of applied multivariate statistics and mathematical modelling (pp. 297–321). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
Graef, M. I., Wells, D. L., Hyland, A. M., & Muchinsky, P. M. (1985). Life history antecedents of vocational indecision. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 27(3), 276–297. https://doi.org/10.1016/0001-8791(85)90037-5.
Guichard, J., Pouyaud, J., De Calan, C., & Dumora, B. (2012). Identity construction and career development interventions with emerging adults. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 81(1), 52–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2012.04.004.
Hall, D. T. (2004). The protean career: A quarter-century journey. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 65(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2003.10.006.
Janeiro, I. N. (2010). Motivational dynamics in the development of career attitudes among adolescents. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 76(2), 170–177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2009.12.003.
Janeiro, I. N., & Marques, J. F. (2010). Career coping styles: Differences in career attitudes among secondary school students. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 10(1), 35–48. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-009-9170-3.
Jin, L., Watkins, D., & Yuen, M. (2009). Personality, career decision self-efficacy and commitment to the career choices among Chinese graduate students. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 74(1), 47–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2008.10.002.
Kerpelman, J. L., Eryigit, S., & Stephens, C. J. (2008). African American adolescents’ future education orientation: Associations with self-efficacy, ethnic identity, and perceived parental support. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 37(8), 997–1008. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-007-9201-7.
Klineberg, S. L. (1967). Changes in outlook on the future between childhood and adolescence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 7(2p1), 185.
Laghi, F., Baiocco, R., Liga, F., Guarino, A., & Baumgartner, E. (2013). Identity status differences among Italian adolescents: Associations with time perspective. Children and Youth Services Review, 35(3), 482–487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2012.12.018.
Laughland-Booÿ, J., Newcombe, P., & Skrbiš, Z. (2017). Looking forward: Career identity formation and the temporal orientations of young Australians. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 101, 43–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2017.04.005.
Lennings, C. J. (1994). An investigation of the effects of agency and time perspective variables on career maturity. The Journal of Psychology, 128(3), 243–253. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223980.1994.9712727.
Lewin, K. (1942). Time perspective and morale. In G. Lewin (Ed.), Resolving social conflicts. New York: Harper.
Lorion, R. P., & Saltzman, W. (1993). Children’s exposure to community violence: Following a path from concern to research to action. Psychiatry, 56(1), 55–65. https://doi.org/10.1080/00332747.1993.11024621.
Lounsbury, J. W., Hutchens, T., & Loveland, J. M. (2005). An investigation of Big Five personality traits and career decidedness among early and middle adolescents. Journal of Career Assessment, 13(1), 25–39. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072704270272.
Lounsbury, J. W., Tatum, H. E., Chambers, W., Owens, K. S., & Gibson, L. W. (1999). An investigation of career decidedness in relation to “Big Five” personality constructs and life satisfaction. College Student Journal, 33(4), 646–652.
Luyckx, K., Schwartz, S. J., Berzonsky, M. D., Soenens, B., Vansteenkiste, M., Smits, I., & Goossens, L. (2008). Capturing ruminative exploration: Extending the four-dimensional model of identity formation in late adolescence. Journal of Research in Personality, 42(1), 58–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2007.04.004.
Marcia, J. E. (1966). Development and validation of ego-identity status. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 3(5), 551. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0023281.
Marko, K. W., & Savickas, M. L. (1998). Effectiveness of a career time perspective intervention. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 52(1), 106–119. https://doi.org/10.1006/jvbe.1996.1566.
Markus, H., & Nurius, P. (1986). Possible selves. American Psychologist, 41(9), 954. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066x.41.9.954.
Masten, A. S., & Obradović, J. (2006). Competence and resilience in development. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1094(1), 13–27. https://doi.org/10.1196/annals.1376.003.
Masten, A. S., Powell, J. L., & Luthar, S. S. (2003). A resilience framework for research, policy, and practice. Resilience and vulnerability: Adaptation in the context of childhood adversities. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511615788.003
Masten, W., & Wright, M. O. (2009). Resilience over the lifespan. In Handbook of adult resilience (213–237). New York: Guilford Press.
McCabe, K. M., & Barnett, D. (2000). The relation between familial factors and the future orientation of urban, African American sixth graders. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 9(4), 491–508. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009474926880.
McGee, R. F. (1984). Hope: A factor influencing crisis resolution. Advances in Nursing Science, 6(4), 34–44. https://doi.org/10.1097/00012272-198406040-00006.
Meeus, W. (1996). Studies on identity development in adolescence: An overview of research and some new data. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 25(5), 569–598. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01537355.
Meijers, F. (1998). The development of a career identity. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 20(3), 191–207. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005399417256.
Mello, Z. R., & Worrell, F. C. (2006). The relationship of time perspective to age, gender, and academic achievement among academically talented adolescents. Journal for the Education of the Gifted, 29(3), 271–289. https://doi.org/10.1177/016235320602900302.
Nauta, M. M., & Kahn, J. H. (2007). Identity status, consistency and differentiation of interests, and career decision self-efficacy. Journal of Career Assessment, 15(1), 55–65. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072705283786.
Negru-Subtirica, O., Pop, E. I., & Crocetti, E. (2015). Developmental trajectories and reciprocal associations between career adaptability and vocational identity: A three-wave longitudinal study with adolescents. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 88, 131–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2015.03.004.
Nurmi, J. E. (1989). Planning, motivation, and evaluation in orientation to the future: A latent structure analysis. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 30(1), 64–71. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9450.1989.tb01069.x.
Nurmi, J. E., Poole, M. E., & Seginer, R. (1995). Tracks and transitions-a comparison of adolescent future-oriented goals, explorations, and commitments in Australia, Israel, and Finland. International Journal of Psychology, 30(3), 355–375. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207599508246575.
Nuttin, J. (1980). Motivation et perspectives d’avenir (Vol. 14). Leuven: Presses universitaires de Louvain.
Patton, W., & Porfeli, E. J. (2007). Career exploration during childhood and adolescence. In V. B. Skorikov & W. Patton (Eds.), Career development in childhood and adolescence (pp. 47–70). Rotterdam: Sense.
Perez, M., & Gati, I. (2017). Advancing in the career decision-making process: The role of coping strategies and career decision-making profiles. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 17(3), 285–309. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-016-9334-x.
Piaget, J. (1932). Le jugement moral chez l’enfant. Paris: Alcan.
Porfeli, E. J. (2008). Career exploration. In F. T. L. Leong (Ed.), Career counseling (Vol. 3, pp. 1474–1477). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Porfeli, E. J., Lee, B., Vondracek, F. W., & Weigold, I. K. (2011). A multi-dimensional measure of vocational identity status. Journal of adolescence, 34(5), 853–871. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2011.02.001.
Porfeli, E. J., & Skorikov, V. B. (2010). Specific and diversive career exploration during late adolescence. Journal of Career Assessment, 18(1), 46–58. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072709340528.
Reivich, K., Gillham, J. E., Chaplin, T. M., & Seligman, M. E. (2013). From helplessness to optimism: The role of resilience in treating and preventing depression in youth. In Handbook of resilience in children (pp. 201–214). New York: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3661-4_12
Santilli, S., Ginevra, M. C., Sgaramella, T. M., Nota, L., Ferrari, L., & Soresi, S. (2015). Design my future: An instrument to assess future orientation and resilience. Journal of Career Assessment, 1, 15. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072715621524.
Sapienza, J. K., & Masten, A. S. (2011). Understanding and promoting resilience in children and youth. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 24(4), 267–273. https://doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0b013e32834776a8.
Savickas, M. L. (1985). Identity in vocational development. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 27(3), 329–337. https://doi.org/10.1016/0001-8791(85)90040-5.
Savickas, M. L. (1997). Career adaptability: An integrative construct for life-span, life-space theory. The Career Development Quarterly, 45(3), 247–259. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-0045.1997.tb00469.x.
Savickas, M. L. (2002). Career construction: a developmental theory. In D. Brown, & Associates (Eds.), Career choice and development (4th ed.) (pp. 149–205). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass
Savickas, M. L., Nota, L., Rossier, J., Dauwalder, J. P., Duarte, M. E., Guichard, J.,… & Van Vianen, A. E. (2009). Life designing: A paradigm for career construction in the 21st century. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 75(3), 239–250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2009.04.004
Savickas, M. L., Silling, S. M., & Schwartz, S. (1984). Time perspective in vocational maturity and career decision making. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 25(3), 258–269. https://doi.org/10.1016/0001-8791(84)90049-6.
Seginer, R. (2009). Future orientation: Developmental and ecological perspectives. New York: Springer.
Sica, L. S. (2009). Adolescents in different contexts: The exploration of identity through possible selves. CBB- Cognition, Bain and Behavior: An Interdisciplinary Journal, XIII(3), 221–252.
Sica, L. S., Aleni Sestito, L., & Ragozini, G. (2014). Identity coping in the first years of university: Identity diffusion, adjustment and identity distress. Journal of Adult Development, 21(3), 159–172. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10804-014-9188-8.
Sica, L. S., Crocetti, E., Ragozini, G., Aleni Sestito, L., & Serafini, T. (2016). Future-oriented or present-focused? The role of social support and identity styles on ‘futuring’ in Italian late adolescents and emerging adults. Journal of Youth Studies, 19(2), 183–203. https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2015.1059925.
Skorikov, V., & Vondracek, F. W. (1998). Vocational identity development: Its relationship to other identity domains and to overall identity development. Journal of Career Assessment, 6(1), 13–35. https://doi.org/10.1177/106907279800600102.
Skorikov, V., & Vondracek, F. W. (2007). Vocational identity. In V. Skorikov & W. A. Patton (Eds.), Career development in childhood and adolescence. Rotterdam: Sense Publishers.
Stoddard, S. A., Zimmerman, M. A., & Bauermeister, J. A. (2011). Thinking about the future as a way to succeed in the present: A longitudinal study of future orientation and violent behaviors among African American youth. American Journal of Community Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-010-9383-0.
Taber, B. J., & Blankemeyer, M. S. (2015). Time perspective and vocational identity statuses of emerging adults. The Career Development Quarterly, 63(2), 113–125. https://doi.org/10.1002/cdq.12008.
Tomassini, M. (2015). Reflexivity, self-identity and resilience in career development: Hints from a qualitative research study in Italy. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 43(3), 263–277. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2015.1028890.
Vondracek, F. W., Schulenberg, J., Skorikov, V., Gillespie, L. K., & Wahlheim, C. (1995). The relationship of identity status to career indecision during adolescence. Journal of Adolescence, 18(1), 17–29. https://doi.org/10.1006/jado.1995.1003.
Wanberg, C. R., & Muchinsky, P. M. (1992). A typology of career decision status: Validity extension of the vocational decision status model. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 39(1), 71. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.39.1.71.
Webb, L., Cox, N., Cumbers, H., Martikke, S., Gedzielewski, E., & Duale, M. (2017). Personal resilience and identity capital among young people leaving care: Enhancing identity formation and life chances through involvement in volunteering and social action. Journal of Youth Studies, 20(7), 889–903. https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2016.1273519.
Xiao, L., Yongyan, D., & Huazhen, C. (2015). The relationship among ego identity, resilience and career maturity in high school freshmen. Science of Social Psychology, 6, 008.
Zautra, A. J., Hall, J. S., & Murray, K. E. (2010). A new definition of health for people and communities. In Handbook of adult resilience, 1. New York : Guilford Press.
Zimbardo, P. G., & Boyd, J. N. (1999). Putting time in perspective: A valid, reliable individual-differences metric. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 77, 1271–1288. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-07368-2_2.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Fusco, L., Sica, L.S., Boiano, A. et al. Future orientation, resilience and vocational identity in southern Italian adolescents. Int J Educ Vocat Guidance 19, 63–83 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-018-9369-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-018-9369-2