The Skills Confidence Inventory: A Measure of Self-Efficacy

Abstract

The Skills Confidence Inventory (SCI; Betz, Borgen, & Harmon, 1996) General Confidence Theme (GCT) scores differentiated appropriately between members of 21 occupational groups. The GCT scales represent confidence in ability to perform tasks and complete courses in six areas that correspond to the Holland themes (1985). The occupational groups represented all six Holland types and encompassed both professional and nonprofessional fields. For over 80% of the occupational groups, the highest GCT was on a scale matching the Holland code for the occupation. Likewise, the groups that scored highest and lowest on each GCT were consistent with Holland's theory. To determine whether the SCI can be useful in career assessment, it is important to show that the GCTs provide information that is different from the information provided by the Strong Interest Inventory (SII; Harmon, Hansen, Borgen, & Hammer, 1994) General Occupational Themes (GOT), which also provide scores for the six Holland themes. Reports of career assessments with four college students in which both the SCI and SII were used are presented. They suggest that the SCI is useful in career assessment and counseling.