Longitudinal Patterns in Gender-Typed Career Interests and Career Stereotypes Among Boys and Girls in Middle Adolescence

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine changes in gender-typed career interests and career-related gender stereotypes, as well as the bidirectional relationship between these factors, among 524 (61% girls) middle adolescents, aged 14 to 17 ( M = 15.58, SD = 0.35), over three years. Data were collected through an online survey in schools, using the Personal Globe Inventory to assess gender-typed career interests and the Vocational Gender Stereotype Attitudes Scale to measure career-related gender stereotype endorsement. Results from Latent growth curve modelling (LGCM) indicated no significant mean changes in gender-typed career interests over time for both genders but did reveal significant differences in the developmental trajectories of gender-typed career interests among girls. Moreover, results revealed gender differences in baseline levels and developmental trajectories of gender stereotype endorsement, showing distinct temporal patterns for boys and girls. Results from multi-domain LGCM provided more evidence supporting the attitudinal pathway model, suggesting that career gender stereotypes influence career interests among girls over time, rather than the other way around. Our findings highlight the need for further exploration of the potential contributing factors that shape the interplay between career interests and gender stereotypes in boys and girls during middle adolescence.