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Career maturity, self-esteem and academic achievement in Singapore adolescents
Author
Tan, June Siew Hong
Supervisor
Lui, Elena Hah Wah
Abstract
Studies that focus on career maturity and its determinants are particularly salient in the Singapore context where the optimization of our human resource and developing each child to his or her fullest potential are crucial for our nation's continued progress. This study undertakes to assess the career maturity of Secondary four students in two schools in Singapore and the effects of 5 typical descriptive correlates - gender, socio-economic status (SES), exposure to career guidance activities, parental involvement and course of study - on career maturity. This study further investigates two salient correlates - self esteem and academic achievement - and their effect on career maturity and attempts to answer the important research question - what is the best predictor of career maturity?
The study sample consists of 359 students, all the graduating Secondary four classes, purposively selected from two average "neighbourhood" secondary schools. They were invited to complete the survey over the course of one regular class period. The form comprises a general information section, the Self-Esteem Checklist, and the locally modified version of the Career Maturity Inventory - Attitude Scale.
In support of precious local studies, this study found that there is no significant gender difference in career maturity between Singapore girls and boys. This study also found a positive but weak significant association between SES and career maturity. Conversely, in contrast with precious research, this study found no significant correlation between exposure to career guidance activities and career maturity, and parental involvement and career maturity. Some possible reasons for these confounding findings are suggested.
Focussing on the correlates of self-esteem and academic achievement, this study found that students in the Express course have significantly higher career maturity scores than Normal Academic and Normal Technical course students but this pattern was not demonstrated for self-esteem scores. Significant positive association between self-esteem and career maturity, and a weaker but still significant positive association between academic achievement and career maturity was also found.
Multiple regression analysis of all the variables in this study revealed that the best predictor of career maturity is self-esteem. This is followed by course of study and parental involvement. Some implications of these findings for teachers and career guidance counsellors in Singapore are discussed, especially in the light of recent changes to career education in Singapore schools.
The study sample consists of 359 students, all the graduating Secondary four classes, purposively selected from two average "neighbourhood" secondary schools. They were invited to complete the survey over the course of one regular class period. The form comprises a general information section, the Self-Esteem Checklist, and the locally modified version of the Career Maturity Inventory - Attitude Scale.
In support of precious local studies, this study found that there is no significant gender difference in career maturity between Singapore girls and boys. This study also found a positive but weak significant association between SES and career maturity. Conversely, in contrast with precious research, this study found no significant correlation between exposure to career guidance activities and career maturity, and parental involvement and career maturity. Some possible reasons for these confounding findings are suggested.
Focussing on the correlates of self-esteem and academic achievement, this study found that students in the Express course have significantly higher career maturity scores than Normal Academic and Normal Technical course students but this pattern was not demonstrated for self-esteem scores. Significant positive association between self-esteem and career maturity, and a weaker but still significant positive association between academic achievement and career maturity was also found.
Multiple regression analysis of all the variables in this study revealed that the best predictor of career maturity is self-esteem. This is followed by course of study and parental involvement. Some implications of these findings for teachers and career guidance counsellors in Singapore are discussed, especially in the light of recent changes to career education in Singapore schools.
Date Issued
2002
Call Number
HF5382.5.S55 Tan
Date Submitted
2002