The Influence of Psychological Separation and Parental Attachment on the Career Development of Adolescent Women

This study explored the contribution of psychological separation and parental attachment to constructs related to the career development of 282 adolescent women. Results of a canonical correlation analysis suggested that high school women who experienced similar attitudes to mother, reliance on mother for assistance in daily functioning, conflictual feelings toward mother, and freedom from the need for approval, closeness, and emotional support from father evidenced very strong career self-efficacy beliefs and moderate levels of both career orientation and realism. Thus, this study indicated that young women who experienced attachment to their mothers and were moving toward independence were interested in pursuing a career, selected careers which were mostly consistent with their ability, and felt highly efficacious with regard to choosing a career. Continued attention to the career development of young women over time is critical in order to further differentiate among the individual, relational, and societal variables that promote healthy career development as well as occupational success and satisfaction for women.