The role of self-esteem in the relationship between ego identity and career aspiration in adolescents

[摘要] English: Choosing a career is a key aspect of transition for adolescents. In fact, South Africanadolescents experience unique challenges with regard to their career aspirations. In the midstof the unpredictability of careers, adolescents are expected to show increased selfdirectednessbased on a well-developed ego identity. The formation of ego identity is one ofthe most important psychological tasks during adolescence. Indeed, adolescence is a criticalstage characterised by intense exploration of ego identity. In the same breath, the developmentof self-esteem provides adolescents with a structure for deeper self-understanding �?a crucialfactor in determining individuals' career aspirations. The aim of this study was to explore therelationship between ego identity and career aspiration in adolescents. Furthermore, thepossible mediating or moderating roles of self-esteem and gender in this relationship wereinvestigated. A non-experimental type, quantitative approach with a correlational design wasused in this study. Participants were recruited using non-probability, convenience-samplingmethods. The final sample consisted of 336 adolescents aged between 14 and 17 years, ofwhich 188 (56%) were females and 148 (44%) were males. The data for this study were collected using the Ego Identity Process Questionnaire (EIPQ), the Vocational IdentityMeasure (VIM), and the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSES). The moderating role of genderwas investigated first before proceeding with further analyses. Gender did not play asignificant moderating role in the relationship between ego identity and career aspiration. Therelationship between the measured variables was tested using Pearson's product momentcorrelation coefficient. Statistically significant positive correlations between ego identity,career aspiration, and self-esteem were found. A moderated hierarchical regression analysiswas completed to determine the moderating or mediating role of self-esteem in therelationship between ego identity and career aspiration, with no statistically significant results.According to these findings, a well-developed ego identity and a favourable self-esteemcontribute significantly to career aspiration during adolescence.

[发布机构] University of the Free State