Examining secure childhood parental attachment, age, and academic progress in relation to vocational identity in undergraduate students

Tony Michael

doi:10.20856/jnicec.5616

Authors

Tony Michael Tennessee Tech University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20856/jnicec.5616

Keywords:

vocational identity, career development, parental attachment, career counseling, academic progress

Abstract

Vocational identity, a critical factor in career development, reflects an individual’s clarity and commitment to career goals. This study examined the influence of age, secure childhood parental attachments to mother and father figures, and academic progress (credit hours) on vocational identity among undergraduate students. Using a cross sectional design, data from 298 students were analysed via multiple linear regression and descriptive statistics. The My Vocational Situation Scale measured vocational identity, with mother safe and father safe assessed via the Adult Scale of Parental Attachment-Short Form. Results indicated that the model explained 15.7% of variance in the total score of My Vocational Situation Scale. Age, mother safe, and father safe were significant predictors, with credit hours marginally significant. Descriptive analyses revealed higher vocational identity means for high mother safe and high father safe groups, with the high mother safe/high father safe group showing the strongest vocational identity. Findings suggest that secure childhood parental attachments and younger age enhance vocational identity, with academic progress playing a marginal role. Implications for career counselling include attachment-informed interventions to support students’ career clarity. Future research should explore longitudinal designs and additional predictors to enhance model explanatory power

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