Vocational interests across 20 years of adulthood: Stability, change, and the role of work experiences

Leah H. Schultz, James J. Connolly, S. Mason Garrison, Madeleine M. Leveille, Joshua J. Jackson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Vocational interests demonstrate high rank-order stability during childhood and adolescence. However, few studies have investigated the development of vocational interests into adulthood. The present study examined rank-order and profile stability, mean-level and correlated change, and individual differences in change in RIASEC scores across 20 years of adulthood. In addition, life events were examined as moderators of change. Rank-order stability was strong across vocational interest dimensions. Mean-level changes also occurred, with increases in Realistic interests and decreases in Investigative interests for men, increases in Enterprising interests for women, and decreases in Artistic interests for men and women. Individual differences in change indicated that not everyone changed in the same manner, with occupational experiences, such as job loss, related to greater change.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)46-56
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Research in Personality
Volume71
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2017

Keywords

  • Change
  • Life events
  • RIASEC
  • Stability
  • Vocational interests

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