Vocational Evaluations and Self-Efficacy
Vocational evaluations are not used in every Individualized Plan for Employment, despite evidence that vocational evaluations are helpful in developing employment plans for consumers of vocational rehabilitation services. Vocational evaluation reports contribute to the knowledge base about consumers' abilities, interests, and aptitudes and assist consumers and counselors in deciding the best job match for the consumer. In addition, it is hypothesized in the current study that consumers' career self-efficacy is increased through participation in the vocational evaluation process, because situational assessments have been shown to increase career self-efficacy (Scroggin, Kosciulek, Sweiven, and Enright, 1999) and vocational evaluations are simulated situational assessments. Career self-efficacy is defined as an individual's perception of her ability to act effectively and competently (Strauser, 1995). This study will explore the influence formal vocational evaluations have on the career self-efficacy of people with disabilities. Specifically, does participation in a formal vocational evaluation increase career self-efficacy? The participants are consumers of a state vocational rehabilitation program in a Texas. A repeated measures ANOVA will be used to compare pre-test and post-test self-efficacy scores for clients participating in vocational evaluations. Results are expected to show that a direct benefit of vocational evaluations may be the increased career self-efficacy of individuals with disabilities.
Vocational Guidance, Employment, Self Efficacy
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
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