A causal model of college women's career choice

Abstract

A model of women's career choice was tested using the structural equation modeling methodology (Bentler, P. M. (1980). Multivariate analysis with latent variables: Causal modeling. Annual Review of Psychology, 31, 419–456) and the LISREL VI computer program. In the initial model, it was hypothesized that the independent variables Previous Work Experience, Academic Success, Role-Model Influence, and Perceived Encouragement affect the dependent variables Attitudes toward Work, Attitudes toward Self, and Sex-Role Attitudes. These variables, in turn, affect the dependent variable Life-Style Preferences and Plans, which affects Realism of Career Choice; Realism of Choice is also affected directly by the three attitude variables. Based on information generated by LISREL, seven modified models were tested, two of which are reported in detail. In the final model, found to be most plausible in the sample population, the independent variables Ability, Achievement Orientation, and Feminist Orientation affect the dependent variables Family Orientation and Career Orientation; these dependent variables in turn affect the variable Career Choice, also affected directly by Ability. Theoretical implications of the final model are discussed, as well as methodological issues and limitations of the study. The promise of this line of inquiry into women's career development is noted.