Perceived Barriers to and Supports of the Attainment of Career and Family Goals Among Academically Talented Individuals.

Abstract

Perceived barriers to and supports of the attainment of career and family goals were examined. Participants were adults taking part in a longitudinal study of academically talented students. Qualitative data yielded information regarding participants’ goals as well as perceived barriers to and supports of goal attainment. Quantitative data were used to test 2 path models. The 1st path analysis provided information on relationships among perceived barriers to career goal attainment, coping efficacy, social support, and career goal outcome expectations; the 2nd path analysis tested relationships among perceived barriers to family goal attainment, coping efficacy, social support, and family goal outcome expectations. Results indicated adequate fit for the 1st model and mixed results for the 2nd. Implications for counselors and directions for future research were discussed.