Parenting Styles, Personal Growth Initiative and Perceived Social Barriers in Career Decision Making

Author: Fatima Liaquat

Supervisor: Dr. Rafia Rafique

Degree: M.phil

Year: 2011-2013

University: Institute of Applied Psychology, Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

The present study was aimed to investigate the role of parenting styles, personal growth initiative and perceived social barriers in career decision making among Christian minority students. The sample (N = 150) of the  study was consisted of Christian minority college students. Relationship of parenting styles, personal growth initiative and perceived social barriers with career decision making difficulties was assessed. It was hypothesized that parenting styles (permissive, authoritarian, authoritative), personal growth initiative and perceived social barriers will predict career decision making difficulties (lack of readiness, lack of information, inconsistent information). Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ) developed by Buri (1991), Personal Growth Initiative Scale-II (PGIS-II) by Robitschek et al., 2012, Perception of Barriers Scale (POB) by Luzzo and McWhirter’s (2001) and Career Decision Making Difficulties Questionnaire (CDMDQ) by Gati and Saka (2001) were used in present study. Results revealed that authoritarian fathers significantly predicted career decision making difficulties (lack of readiness, lack of information and inconsistent information) in Christian minority students. However, authoritarian mothers predicted only inconsistent information (CDMD). Contrary to hypotheses, perceived social barriers negatively predicted lack of readiness (CDMD) and personal growth initiative positively predicted career decision making difficulties (lack of readiness, lack of information, inconsistent information). Gender also found to be a significant predictor of career decision making difficulties (lack of readiness, lack of information, inconsistent information) in Christian minority students. Findings of the study will help parents, college counselors and college faculty to assist students in the process of change and growth to prepare them for perceived challenges and barriers associated with their career decision making.

Keywords: Parenting Styles, Personal Growth Initiative, Perceived Social Barriers, Career Decision Making.

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Corresponding Address: Department of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Email: chairperson@appsy.pu.edu.pk, Phone: 92-42-9231245

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