Time Perspective and Vocational Identity Statuses of Emerging Adults

Abstract

Achievement of a vocational identity is an important developmental task for individuals entering adulthood. The present study examined relationships between vocational identity statuses and time perspective in a sample of 165 emerging adults. Results of a canonical correlation analysis identified 2 interpretable variates. The 1st variate indicated that diffuse vocational identity status is associated with negative views of the past and lower orientation toward the future. The 2nd variate indicated that achieved vocational identity is associated with a largely hedonic view of the present, along with being mindful and less inclined to be fatalistic. These results suggest that differing views on time perspective accounts for some of the variation in different vocational identity statuses. Interventions based on time perspective may prove useful in helping individuals attain an achieved vocational identity. Future research should examine how time perspective relates to vocational identity status in individuals at later stages of career development.

Looking forward: Career identity formation and the temporal orientations of young Australians

“…If a person is more focused on their past or present, for instance, their career future may seem unimportant or unimaginable. Alternatively those with a strong future focus demonstrate greater imagination, motivation, and engagement with respect to the career decision-making process (Taber, 2013;Taber & Blankemeyer, 2015).…”

“…Also using the Zimbardo and Boyd model, Taber and Blankemeyer (2015) focused on career identity formation of emerging adults undertaking their first years of university education. Individuals categorised as being diffused in their career identity showed strong past-negative orientations and were unlikely to be focused towards the future.…”

Obstacles open the door — Negative shocks can motivate individuals to focus on opportunities

“…Researchers have supported the relationship between occupational future time perspective and job related outcomes, such as career maturity, career planning and career decidedness (e.g. Taber and Blankemeyer 2015). The way how individuals perceive their future can influence their career decisions, career maturity (Cheng et al 2016), job satisfaction (Weikamp and Göritz 2016), occupational self-efficacy, career commitment and turnover intention (Park and Jung 2015).…”

Vocational Identity Resources in Emerging Adulthood: Associations With Facets of Dispositional Mindfulness

“…Taber and Blankemeyer's (2015) study found that mindfulness was important to the relationship between vocational identity variables and time perspective (past, present, future). They found that emerging adults who were identity achieved were less likely to have negative views of the past and fatalistic views of the future, along with greater acceptance of the present and increased mindfulness, whereas those who were identity diffused were more likely to have negative views of the past and lacked concern for the future.…”