6533b825fe1ef96bd1281f28

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Parents' role in adolescents' decision on a college major: A weekly diary study

Bärbel KrackeJari-erik NurmiJulia Dietrich

subject

Organizational Behavior and Human Resource ManagementLongitudinal studyHigher educationbusiness.industryAcademic specializationEducationDevelopmental psychologyLife-span and Life-course StudiesbusinessPsychologyParent-child communicationta515Applied PsychologyClinical psychology

description

Abstract This study examined 39 adolescents during their transition to university. In standardized weekly diaries over several weeks (M = 8.13) adolescents reported on engagement in career exploration (in-breadth and in-depth self and environmental exploration), their parents' transition-related involvement (frequency of conversations, support, and interference), and their satisfaction with how the transition progressed. The results showed that exploration largely fluctuated across weeks, whereas parent involvement was more stable. Family members' engagement varied according to the phase of the application process the adolescent was involved in. The more adolescents explored during a given week, the more they talked to their parents, and the more supportive parents were. Associations between interference and exploration differed by type of exploration. Both exploration and support contributed to higher satisfaction.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2011-08-01Journal of Vocational Behavior
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2010.12.003