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The influence of self-concept, parenting style and individualism–collectivism on career maturity in Australia and Thailand

  • Catherine Hughes
Article
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Abstract

Relationships between career maturity and self-concept, parenting style and individualism–collectivism across Australian and Thai cultural contexts were investigated. Berry’s (1969) etic-emic model for adapting instruments for cross-cultural research was applied. Derived etic status was achieved for the career planning scale, five self-concept sub-scales and the Parental Bonding Instrument. Mean score comparisons revealed few significant differences between Australia and Thailand. None of the independent variables were associated with Thai career planning. Academic and social self-concept scales and father care were related to career planning in Australia. Implications are discussed.

Keywords

Cross-cultural studies Career maturity Cultural differences 

Résumé

L’influence du concept de soi, du style parental et de l’individualisme-collectivisme sur la maturité vocationnelle en Australie et en Thailande. Les relations entre la maturité vocationnelle et le concept de soi, le style parental et l’individualisme-collectivisme au travers des contextes culturels australien et thaï ont été investigués. Le modèle “étique-émique” de Berry (1969) d’adaptation des instruments pour la recherche interculturelle a été appliqué. Le statut étique dérivé a été atteint pour l’échelle de la planification de carrière, pour les cinq sous-échelles du concept de soi et pour l’Instrument de Lien Parental. Les comparaisons des scores moyens ont révélé peu de différences significatives entre l’Australie et la Thailande. Aucune des variables indépendantes étaient associées avec la planification de carrière thaï. Les échelles du concept de soi académique et social ainsi que l’attention du père était reliées à la planification de carrière en Australie. Les implications sont discutées.

Zusammenfassung

Der Einfluss des Selbstkonzepts, Erziehungsstils und Individualismus-Kollektivismus auf Berufswahlreife in Australien und Thailand. Die Beziehungen zwischen Berufswahlreife und Selbstkonzept, Erziehungsstil und Individualismus-Kollektivismus im australischen und thailändischen kulturellen Kontext wurden untersucht. Berrys (1969) etisch-emisches Modell für die Anpassung von Instrumenten für interkulturelle Forschung wurde angewandt. Abgeleiteter etischer Status wurde für die Skala der Karriereplanung, die fünf Selbstkonzept Subskalen und das Instrument der elterlichen Bindung erreicht. Mittelwertsvergleiche zeigten wenig signifikante Unterschiede zwischen Australien und Thailand. Keine der unabhängigen Variablen waren mit thailändischer Karriereplanung verbunden. Skalen des akademischen und sozialen Selbstkonzepts sowie Zuwendung des Vaters hingen mit Karriereplanung in Australien zusammen. Implikationen werden besprochen.

Resumen

Influencia del auto-concepto, el estilo educativo de los padres, y del individualismo-colectivismo sobre la madurez vocacional en Australia y Tailandia. Se investigaron las relaciones entre la madurez vocacional y el auto-concepto, el estilo educativo de los padres y el individualismo-colectivismo en contextos culturales australianos y tailandeses. Se aplicó el modelo de Berry (1969) etic (punto de vista del investigador) - emic (émico-punto de vista del nativo) usado para adaptar instrumentos a la investigación multicultural. Se obtuvo un estatus etic en la escala de planificación de la carrera, cinco sub-escalas del auto-concepto y el instrumento de de vínculos parentales. Las comparaciones de medias produjeron pocas diferencias significativas entre Australia y Tailandia. Ninguna de las variables independientes se asoció con la planificación de la carrera en Tailandia. Las escalas de auto-concepto académico y social, y el cuidado paterno se relacionaron con la planificación de la carrera en Australia. Se discuten las implicaciones del estudio.

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Notes

Acknowledgements

The author wishes to acknowledge the support of the National Research Council of Thailand and the Ministry of Education in Thailand and the Australian Government, Catholic Education and Independent schools who participated in this research. The expert advice provided by Professor Trang Thomas, Dr. Sophie Xenos and Associate Professor John Reece, Professor Chancha Suvannathat, Professor Pongpan Kirdpitak, Dr. Kamonpan Boonkit and Dr. Meechai Iemjinda is greatly appreciated.

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© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.School of Health SciencesRMIT University MelbourneAustralia

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