Impact of group intervention on problem-solving and self-efficacy in career decision-making

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate empirically the impact of career treatment group interventions on problem-solving ability and self-efficacy in career decisionmaking skills. It further assessed for the impact of problem-solving training as an additional component to the standard career group treatment, relative to the standard career group treatment and a control group. Seventy-six undergraduate students attending a mid-size public university in the west who were seeking career counseling were randomly assigned to one of three group conditions: the “Standard Plus group” received standard group career counseling plus problem-solving training, the “Standard group” received standard career group counseling only, and the Control group received facilitator contact only. Data was collected before treatment, immediately following treatment, and after two weeks. The results indicated that participation in career group counseling resulted in positive changes in career decision-making self-efficacy. Participants in the Standard Plus group exhibited the highest levels of self-efficacy in career decision-making and problem-solving, followed by the Standard group, with no discernible changes in the Control group. While no significant differences were observed between the groups in problem-solving ability, a significant improvement in problemsolving ability was observed for the Standard Plus Group post-treatment. Participants rated both treatment groups high in levels of satisfaction and helpfulness, with the Standard Plus group being the highest, followed by the Standard group. As expected, the Control group reported the lowest levels of helpfulness and satisfaction. Limitations of this study and implications for future research are also discussed.%%%%Ph.D., Clinical Psychology – Drexel University, 2005