Relational Processes in Career Transition: Extending Theory, Research, and Practice

Abstract

A growing body of work in relational theory and career decision making explores how relational processes, not just people's relationships but more broadly their connections to self, others, and society, inform career development and counseling. This article presents the results of a qualitative research study of midlife women in career transition that contributes to building an empirical foundation for relational perspectives in career development. Feminist relational psychology, specifically relational cultural theory, frames the study, focusing attention on gender and culture in the context of relational influences. It extends the current research by focusing on career transition for midcareer, midlife women. Findings presented here illustrate the ways participants' connections across a range of relationships enhanced and supported the process of career change and how their disconnections hindered, and sometimes halted, their movement through the transition. Implications for research and practice are offered.

Educating students for effective community engagement: student perspectives on curriculum imperatives for universities in South Africa

“…Our thinking is similar to the ideas of Relational Cultural theory which highlights the individual's development of self-withothers, rather than self-development as a purely individualistic exercise, as positioned in traditional psychodynamic theories (Edwards & Richards 2002;Motulsky 2010).…”

Community Engagement, Service Learning and Student Social Responsibility: Implications for Social Work Education at South African Universities: A Case Study of the University of Fort Hare

“…RCT stresses the importance of the development of the self-with-others (Edwards & Richards, 2002) rather than a purely individualistic perspective as posited by traditional psychodynamic theories, which stress the importance of the development of the self (Edwards & Richards, 2002;Motulsky, 2010). Motulsky, 2010Motulsky, :1082 writes that the primary assumption underlying RCT is that as humans we have an innate capacity for, and desire to, engage in relationships with others and that the increasing capacity and development of mutual connection with others is the marker of healthy wellbeing. Therefore in RCT growth refers to increased self-knowledge, authentic connection to self and others, enhanced confidence, and increased motivation for progress.…”

The Role of Relationship in the Cultural Transitioning of Immigrant Women

“…RCT proposes that "healing takes place in the context of mutually empathic, growth-fostering relationships" (Comstock et al, 2008, p. 279). With its emphasis on relationships, RCT allows the researcher to explore and better understand cultural dynamics across contexts (Comstock et al, 2008;Motulsky, 2010), as well as the role of resilience in individual development (Hartling, 2008). As such, using the lens of RCT, this study explored the important relationships that influence the cultural transitioning of women immigrants across contexts.…”