The effects of an intensive vocational evaluation involving work samples on career indecision, self-esteem, and state anxiety in rehabilitation clients

The work sample approach to vocational evaluation attained prominence in rehabilitation settings largely as a result of dissatisfaction with traditional evaluation methods. Although the predictive validity of work sampling is assumed superior to paper and pencil testing, it is the career development functions that makes work sampling particularly attractive. Frequently writers have extolled the career and self exploration components of work samples.

Among the specific variables work samples are assumed to positively affect are anxiety about making a career choice, career decidedness, and self-esteem. However these career development benefits like the predictive validity of work sampling have largely been unexamined. This study is an initial exploratory investigation of these proposed career development functions. It seeks to determine if undergoing a work-sample-based evaluation is associated with (a) a reduction in anxiety connected with career decision-making, (b) lessened career indecision, and (c) enhanced self-esteem.

To accomplish the aforementioned, 60 clients of a comprehensive rehabilitation center were administered the A-State Scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Scale, the Career Decision Scale, and the Self-Esteem Inventory prior to beginning a comprehensive work-sample-based vocational evaluation, and again after the evaluation was completed. Three different handicapping conditions were studied with an equal nuber of subjects in the three groups: (a) mentally retarded, (b) learning disabled, and (c) emotionally disturbed.

Using a repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance, a change in dependent measures scores from pretesting to postesting was observed. Evaluation activities did not interact with type of handicapping condition to affect these scores. Post hoc analysis indicated positive changes occurred in anxiety associated with career decision-making and self-esteem.

Super‘s (1983) model of career maturity was employed to examine the career development effects of a work—sample-based vocational evaluation. This model cites the counterproductive effects of anxiety and low self-esteem on career planning, both of which have been validated empirically. Consequently the change in the sample's anxiety and self-esteem are assumed to enhance the probability of career planning. The time between the vocational evaluation and posttesting may have been insufficient for career indecision levels to have changed.

The limitations of the study, are addressed as are the implications of the study for future research.