Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Brazilian Portuguese adaptation of Protean Career Orientation Scale: invariance, correlates, and life/career stages

  • Published:
International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The protean career orientation is descriptive of workers who show self-directedness and values-driven behaviors toward professional advancement. Such characteristics have been highly demanded from professionals in the past decades, evidencing their identification and development relevance. Considering that identifying construct structure and invariance is critical for effective measurement and both theory-building and practice, this study aimed to adapt and obtain internal and external validity evidence of the Protean Career Measure to the Brazilian context. Participants were 558 professionals (67% women). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses resulted in a unidimensional model. They provided evidence of configural, metric, and scalar invariance between men and women. Also, they showed convergence between the protean career orientation and career models based on other characteristics (kaleidoscope, adaptability, and work engagement). Finally, results showed that the protean orientation tends to be higher, according to the participants’ life/career stages’ advancement. We discuss the application for research and interventions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ambiel, R. A. M. (2014). Adaptabilidade de carreira: uma abordagem histórica de conceitos, modelos e teorias. Revista Brasileira de Orientação Profissional, 15(1), 15–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Audibert, A., & Teixeira, M. A. P. (2015). Escala de Adaptabilidade de Carreira: evidências de validade em universitários brasileiros. Revista Brasileira de Orientação Profissional, 16(1), 83–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandeira, P. B., De Andrade, A. L., & Oliveira, M. Z. (2019). Adaptação e evidências de validade da Escala de Parâmetros da Carreira Caleidoscópica. Revista Brasileira de Orientação Profissional, 20(1), 103–114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baruch, Y. (2014). The development and validation of a measure for protean career orientation. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 25, 2702–2723. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2014.896389

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baruch, Y., Szűcs, N., & Gunz, H. (2015). Career studies in search of theory: The rise and rise of concepts. Career Development International, 20(1), 3–20. https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-11-2013-0137

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borges, L. L. F., De Andrade, A. L., de Oliveira, M. Z., & Guerra, V. M. (2015). Expanding and adapting the Protean Career Management Scale for university students (PCMS-U). The Spanish Journal of Psychology, 18, E103. https://doi.org/10.1017/sjp.2015.83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borsa, J. C., Damásio, B. F., & Bandeira, D. R. (2012). Adaptação e validação de instrumentos psicológicos entre culturas: algumas considerações. Paideia, 22(53), 423–432. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-43272253201314

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briscoe, J. P., Hall, D. T., & Frautschy DeMuth, R. L. (2006). Protean and boundaryless careers: An empirical exploration. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 69(1), 30–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2005.09.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, T. A. (2015). Confirmatory factor analysis for applied research (2nd ed.). Guilford Publications.

  • Byrne, B. M. (2016). Structural equation modeling with AMOS: Basic concepts, applications, and programming (3rd ed.). Routledge.

  • Chan, K. Y., Ho, M. R., Chernyshenko, O. S., Bedford, O., Uy, M. A., Gomulya, D., Sam, Y. L., & Phan, W. M. J. (2012). Entrepreneurship, professionalism, leadership: A framework and measure for understanding boundaryless careers. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 81(1), 73–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Damásio, B. F. (2013). Contribuições da análise fatorial confirmatória multigrupo (AFCMG) na avaliação de invariância de instrumentos psicométricos. Psico-USF, 18(2), 211–220.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Andrade, A. L., Pissaia, A. T., Silva, M. Z., & de Oliveira, M. Z. (2016). Protean career features and affect in the career of Psychology students. Estudos De Psicologia (Campinas), 33(4), 677–688. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-02752016000400011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Direnzo, M. S., Greenhaus, J. H., & Weer, C. H. (2015). Relationship between protean career orientation and work-life balance: A resource perspective. Journal of Organizational Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.1996

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • dos Santos Magnan, E., Amorim, M. V., Machado, W. L., & Oliveira, M. Z. (2020). Desenho do trabalho, atitudes de carreira e saúde mental em empresas de tecnologia da informação. Revista Psicologia Organizações e Trabalho, 20(2), 1018–1024. https://doi.org/10.17652/rpot/2020.2.18166

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farina, L. S. A., Rodrigues, G. D. R., Fagundes, N. K., Carafini, T. C., Moreira, L. G. C. S., Machado, W. D. L., & Hutz, C. S. (2019). Flow e engajamento no trabalho: associações com recursos individuais e contexto laboral. Revista Avaliação Psicológica, 18(04), 362–371. https://doi.org/10.15689/ap.2019.1804.18813.04

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farsen, T. C., Fiorini, M. C., & Bardagi, M. P. (2017). Análises psicométricas de instrumentos validados em diversos contextos: o caso da Escala de Adaptabilidade de Carreira. Gerais: Revista Interinstitucional de Psicologia, 10(2), 162–175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferrando, P. J., & Lorenzo-Seva, U. (2017). Program FACTOR at 10: Origins, development and future directions. Psicothema, 29(2), 236–241. https://doi.org/10.7334/psicothema2016.304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gubler, M., Arnold, J., & Coombs, C. (2014). Reassessing the protean career concept: Empirical findings, conceptual components, and measurement. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 35(S1), S23–S40. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.1908

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hall, D. T. (1996). Protean careers of the 21st century. The Academy of Management Executive, 10, 8–16. https://doi.org/10.2307/4165349

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • 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

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hall, D. T., Yip, J., & Doiron, K. (2018). Protean careers at work: Self-direction and values orientation in psychological success. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 5(1), 129–156. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-032117-104631

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herrmann, A., Hirschi, A., & Baruch, Y. (2015). The protean career orientation as a predictor of career outcomes: Evaluation of incremental validity and mediation effects. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 88, 205–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2015.03.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holtschlag, C., Masuda, A. D., Reiche, B. S., & Morales, C. (2020). Why do millennials stay in their jobs? The roles of protean career orientation, goal progress and organizational career management. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 118, 103366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2019.103366

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IBGE. (2021). Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.ibge.gov.br/

  • International Labour Organization [ILO]. (2017). World employment and social outlook: Trends 2017. International Labour Organization.

  • ITC. (2017). The ITC guidelines for translating and adapting tests (2nd edition). Retrieved from https://www.intestcom.org/files/guideline_test_adaptation_2ed.pdf

  • Kemper, C. J., Trapp, S., Kathmann, N., Samuel, D. B., & Ziegler, M. (2019). Short versus long scales in clinical assessment: Exploring the trade-off between resources saved and psychometric quality lost using two measures of obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Assessment, 26(5), 767–782. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191118810057

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lorenzo-Seva, U., Timmerman, M. E., & Kiers, H. A. L. (2011). The Hull method for selecting the number of common factors. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 46, 340–364. https://doi.org/10.1080/00273171.2011.564527

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mainiero, L. A., & Gibson, D. E. (2018). The kaleidoscope career model revisited: How midcareer men and women diverge on authenticity, balance, and challenge. Journal of Career Development, 45(4), 361–377. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894845317698223

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mainiero, L. A., & Sullivan, S. E. (2005). Kaleidoscope careers: An alternate explanation for the “opt-out” revolution. Academy of Management Perspectives, 19(1), 106–123. https://doi.org/10.5465/AME.2005.15841962

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muthén, L. K., & Muthén, B. O. (2011). Mplus user’s guide. Author. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.2011.01711.x

  • National Household Sample Survey [NHSS]. (2021). Continuous NHSS January 2021. The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics.

  • Oliveira, M. Z., & Gomes, W. B. (2014). Estilos reflexivos e atitudes de carreira proteana e sem fronteiras nas organizações contemporâneas brasileiras. Revista Psicologia Organizações e Trabalho, 14(1), 105–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliveira, M. Z., Zanon, C., da Silva, I. S., Pinhatti, M. M., Gomes, W. B., & Gauer, G. (2009). Avaliação do autogerenciamento e do direcionamento de carreira: estrutura fatorial da escala de atitudes de carreira proteana. Gerais: Revista Interinstitucional de Psicologia, 2, 160–169.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliveria, M. Z., Zanon, C., da Silva, I. S., Pinhatti, M. M., Gomes, W. B., & Gauer, G. (2010). Validação da versão brasileira da escala de atitudes de carreira sem-fronteiras. Arquivos Brasileiros de Psicologia, 62(3), 106–114.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ribeiro, M. A. (2017). Understanding career resilience and career adaptability in challenging and vulnerable contexts. In K. Maree (Ed.), Psychology of career adaptability, employability and resilience (pp. 397–414). Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Ribeiro, M. A. (2020). Contribuições da psicologia para repensar o conceito de trabalho decente. Revista Psicologia Organizações e Trabalho, 20(3), 1114–1121. https://doi.org/10.17652/rpot/2020.3.19488

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Savickas, M. L., & Porfeli, E. J. (2012). Career Adapt-Abilities Scale: Construction, reliability, and measurement equivalence across 13 countries. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 80(3), 661–673. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2012.01.011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schaufeli, W. B. (2012). Work engagement: What do we know and where do we go? Romanian Journal of Applied Psychology, 14(1), 3–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Silva, M. Z., & De Andrade, A. L. (2019). Influência da carreira e do capital psicológico em aspectos de vida e trabalho. Psico-USF, 24(1), 55–67. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-82712019240105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siqueira, M. M. M., Martins, M. C. F., Orengo, V., & Souza, W. S. (2014). Engajamento no trabalho. In M. M. M. Siqueira (Ed.), Novas medidas do comportamento organizacional: ferramentas de diagnóstico e de gestão (pp. 147–156). Artmed Editora.

  • Steiner, R. S., Hirschi, A., & Wang, M. (2019). Predictors of a protean career orientation and vocational training enrollment in the post-school transition. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 112, 216–228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2019.03.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, S. E., & Baruch, Y. (2009). Advances in career theory and research: A critical review and agenda for future exploration. Journal of Management, 35(6), 1542–1571. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206309350082

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, S. E., Forret, M. L., Carraher, S. M., & Mainiero, L. A. (2009). Using the kaleidoscope career model to examine generational differences in work attitudes. Career Development International, 14(3), 284–302. https://doi.org/10.1108/13620430910966442

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trizano-Hermosilla, I., & Alvarado, J. M. (2016). Best alternatives to Cronbach’s alpha reliability in realistic conditions: Congeneric and asymmetrical measurements. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00769

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wachelke, J., Natividade, J., Andrade, A., Wolter, R., & Camargo, B. (2014). Caracterização e avaliação de um procedimento de coleta de dados online (CORP). Avaliação Psicológica, 13(1), 143–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waters, L., Briscoe, J. P., Hall, D. T., & Wang, L. (2014). Protean career attitudes during unemployment and reemployment: A longitudinal perspective. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 84(3), 405–419. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JVB.2014.03.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiernik, B. M., & Kostal, J. W. (2019). Protean and boundaryless career orientations: A critical review and meta-analysis. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 66(3), 280–307. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000324

Download references

Funding

This study was supported by Cnpq (National Council for Scientific and Technological) [Grant No. 308323/2018-1], FAPES (Espírito Santo Research Foundation) [Grant No. 226/2019].

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Postgraduate Program in Psychology at the Federal University of Espírito Santo, Av. Fernando Ferrari, 514 - Goiabeiras, Vitoria, CEP 29075-910, Brazil

    Alexsandro Luiz De Andrade

  2. Institute of Psychology, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil

    Marco Antônio Pereira Teixeira Teixeira

  3. Postgraduate Program in Psychology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil

    Manoela Ziebell de Oliveira

Authors
  1. Alexsandro Luiz De Andrade
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marco Antônio Pereira Teixeira Teixeira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Manoela Ziebell de Oliveira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alexsandro Luiz De Andrade.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

De Andrade, A.L., Teixeira, M.A.P.T. & de Oliveira, M.Z. The Brazilian Portuguese adaptation of Protean Career Orientation Scale: invariance, correlates, and life/career stages. Int J Educ Vocat Guidance 23, 615–633 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-022-09539-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-022-09539-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation