Covariates of sex differences in RIASEC interests and confidence scores

Abstract

The current study examined the extent to which perceptions of occupations, gender identity, and learning experiences impact the magnitude of observed sex differences on interest and confidence in the People-Things and Data-Ideas dimensions that underlie Holland’s model of vocational interests. Measures of the perceptions of the prestige and sex ratio of occupations, Bem’s (1974) masculinity and femininity constructs, and learning experiences will be used as covariates in a series of multivariate analyses of covariance (MANCOVA) examining sex differences in interests and confidence. Large sex differences were found in interest and confidence along the People-Things dimension, and small sex differences were found in interests and confidence along the Data-Ideas dimension. Sex differences retained a significant impact on interest and confidence in all analyses despite finding many significant covariates. Implications for career counseling and limitations are also discussed.