Understanding and Interpreting Career Decision-Making Difficulties

Abstract

This research develops and tests a procedure for interpreting individuals' responses in multiscale career assessments, using the Career Decision-Making Difficulties Questionnaire (CDDQ). In Study 1, criteria for ascertaining the credibility of responses were developed, based on the judgments of 39 career-counseling experts. In Study 2, the proposed estimate of the responses' differentiation was validated, using the judgments of 140 experts. In Study 3, the procedure for assessing the relative salience of the difficulties was developed and validated by the judgments of Study 2 experts. In Study 4, criteria for determining the confidence in the interpretive feedback, and the need to add reservations to the feedback provided, were validated by the judgments of Study 1 experts. In Study 5, the four stages of interpretation were implemented, using English and Hebrew versions of the CDDQ and Internet and paper-and-pencil versions. Implications for the interpretation of other multiscale career-related measures are discussed.

Integrating Theory, Research, and Practice: A Viewpoint from a Member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Career Assessment

“…Are they reliable and trustworthy?" In the case of assessing individuals' career decision-making difficulties, these questions have led to the development of a systematic four-step procedure (Amir, Gati, & Kleiman, 2008) that was tested and validated with career counselors' expert judgments:…”

“…These groups can then be compared to find their similarities and differences in the assessments used (e.g., Willner, Gati, & Guan, 2015). Also, experts' knowledge can be translated into structured interventions (e.g., dealing with dysfunctional career thoughts found in the CTI responses [Sampson et al, 1998] and providing recommendations for dealing with specific career decision-making difficulties that emerged in the CDDQ [Amir, Gati, & Kleiman, 2008]). However, theory-based ICT interventions should always be tested for empirical validity as well as practical effectiveness (e.g., which types of difficulties can be reduced by what interventions to which individuals), and the conclusions can and should be used to upgrade interventions and refine the theory.…”

Applying a Systemic Procedure to Locate Career Decision‐Making Difficulties

“…These criteria were based on theoretical considerations and validated using the judgments of career counseling experts (for details see Amir et al, 2008).…”

“…As reported by Amir et al (2008), career counselors suggested adding reservations to the feedback if there are one or two reasons for them. However, if all three indicators reflect questionable interpretability, no feedback about the specific focuses of the client's career decision-making difficulties should be provided.…”

Relación entre el desarrollo vocacional eficaz y los factores de elección en titulados universitarios con discapacidad activos laboralmente. Un estudio preliminar / Relationship between career development and the factors of career choice in university...

“…En este mismo sentido otros autores (Amir, Gati y Kleiman, 2008;González Maura, 2006;Uribarri, 2004) detallan también factores o condicionantes, tanto personales como sociales, que influyen en la conducta vocacional y recogen la relación existente entre ellos.…”