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Factors influencing the career development of the intellectually disabled adolescents
Author
Chen, Christy Siaw Chin
Supervisor
Ee, Jessie
Abstract
The adolescents of today grapple with career decision making that has far reaching implications on their lives. The intellectually disabled adolescents are at a disadvantage given their limited career choices and high unemployment rates. With the advancement in technology and massive economic change, the intellectually disabled adolescents will need to develop even better job competencies in responding to the current employment market. However, are the intellectually disabled adolescents mature enough in making appropriate career decisions? If not, what are the factors that may enhance their career maturity and career decision-making? This exploratory study investigates the factors influencing the career development of a sample of intellectually disabled adolescents in Singapore.
A questionnaire adapted from Ong (1999); Rodrigues (1998); Crites (1978) and Lokan (1984) was administered to 105 adolescents from three APSN (Association for Persons with Special Needs) schools in Singapore. Thirty of these intellectually disabled adolescents were later interviewed to assess the influence of their parents on their career development such as their career aspirations, career maturity, career awareness, self-awareness, knowledge on the world of work and occupational information.
The results indicated that authoritative and authoritarian parenting styles are predictors of higher career maturity. Age has a positive effect on the career decision of intellectually disabled adolescents. Intellectually disabled adolescents in the sample demonstrated limited career planning and career exploration behaviours evidenced by their lack of self-awareness and career awareness and their inadequate knowledge on the world of work.
A questionnaire adapted from Ong (1999); Rodrigues (1998); Crites (1978) and Lokan (1984) was administered to 105 adolescents from three APSN (Association for Persons with Special Needs) schools in Singapore. Thirty of these intellectually disabled adolescents were later interviewed to assess the influence of their parents on their career development such as their career aspirations, career maturity, career awareness, self-awareness, knowledge on the world of work and occupational information.
The results indicated that authoritative and authoritarian parenting styles are predictors of higher career maturity. Age has a positive effect on the career decision of intellectually disabled adolescents. Intellectually disabled adolescents in the sample demonstrated limited career planning and career exploration behaviours evidenced by their lack of self-awareness and career awareness and their inadequate knowledge on the world of work.
Date Issued
2006
Call Number
HF5382.5.S55 Che
Date Submitted
2006