The intersection of career and mental health from the lens of Cognitive Information Processing Theory

Authors

  • Laura Reid Marks Florida State University
  • Tristen Hyatt Florida State University
  • Denise Saunders
  • Seth Hayden Wake Forest University
  • Debra Osborn Florida State University
  • James Sampson Florida State University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20856/jnicec.4706

Keywords:

Mental health, Well being, Cognitive information processing, Career concerns

Abstract

Anxiety and depression have increased exponentially and can be exacerbated by the ongoing individual and combined effects of the pandemic, ongoing unemployment, and systemic racism. Across the globe, career counsellors see the impact of these mental health concerns on individuals as they engage in career-decision making and problem-solving. Cognitive Information Processing theory (CIP; Sampson et al., 2020) can provide a useful framework for supporting diverse individuals experiencing heightened mental health and career concerns. In this article, we review key components of CIP theory, provide specific case examples that highlight the integration of career and mental health, and offer CIP-based conceptualizations and interventions.

Author Biographies

  • Laura Reid Marks, Florida State University

    Assistant Professor

  • Seth Hayden, Wake Forest University

    Associate Professor/Clinical Mental Health Program Coordinator

  • Debra Osborn, Florida State University

    Associate Professor

  • James Sampson, Florida State University

    Professor

References

Cardoso, P. (2016). Integrating life-design counseling and psychotherapy: Possibilities and practices. The Career Development Quarterly, 64(1), 49–63. https://doi.org/10.1002/cdq.12040

Constantine, M. G., & Flores, L. Y. (2006). Psychological distress, perceived family conflict, and career development issues in college students of color. Journal of Career Assessment, 14(3), 354–369. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072706286491

Hayden, S. C. W., & Osborn, D. S. (2020). Impact of worry on career thoughts, career decision state, and cognitive information processing skills. Journal of Employment Counseling, 57(4), 163–177. https://doi.org/10.1002/joec.12152

Kronholz, J. F. (2015). Self-help career services: A case report. Career Development Quarterly, 63(3), 282-288. https://doi.org/10.1002/cdq.12019

Marks, L.R., Yeoward, J., Fickling, M., & Tate, K.A. (2020). The role of racial microaggressions and bicultural self-efficacy on work volition in racially diverse adults. Journal of Career Development. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894845320949706

Osborn, D. S., Brown, C., & Morgan, M. (2021). Expectations, experiences and career-related outcomes of computer-assisted career guidance systems. Journal of Employment Counseling, 58(2), 74-90. https://doi.org/10.1002/joec.12158

Osborn, D., Hayden, S. C. W., Peterson, G. W., & Sampson, J. P., Jr. (2016). Effect of brief staff-assisted career service delivery on drop-in clients. Career Development Quarterly, 64(2), 181-187. https://doi.org/10.1002/cdq.12050

Osborn, D., Sides, R. D., & Brown, C. B. (2020). Comparing career development outcomes for undergraduate CIP-based courses versus human relations courses. The Career Development Quarterly, 68(1), 32-47. https://doi.org/10.1002/cdq.12211

Pisarik, C. T., Rowell, P. C., & Thompson, L. K. (2017). A phenomenological study of career anxiety among college students. The Career Development Quarterly, 65(4), 339–352. https://doi.org/10.1002/cdq.12112

Richardson, M. S. (2011). Counseling for work and relationships. The Counseling Psychologist, 40(2), 190-242. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000011406452

Richardson, M. S., & Schaeffer, C. (2014). From work and family to a dual model of working. In D. L. Blustein, (Ed.), The Oxford handbook of the psychology of working (pp141-159). Oxford University Press.

Rottinghaus, P. J., Jenkins, N., & Jantzer, A. M. (2009). Relation of depression and affectivity to career decision status and self-efficacy in college students. Journal of Career Assessment, 17(3), 271–285. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072708330463

Sampson, J. P., Jr. (2008). Designing and implementing career programs: A handbook for effective practice. Broken Arrow, OK: National Career Development Association. https://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/pt/sd/product/24/_PARENT/layout_products/false

Sampson, J. P., Osborn, D. S., Bullock-Yowell, E., Lenz, J. G., Peterson, G. W., Reardon, R. C., Dozier, V. C., Leierer, S. J., Hayden, S. C. W., & Saunders, D. E. (2020). An introduction to CIP theory, research, and practice (Technical Report No. 62). Tallahassee, FL: Florida State University,

Center for the Study of Technology in Counseling and Career Development. Retrieved from http://fsu.digital.flvc.org/islandora/object/fsu%3A749259

Sampson, J. P., Reardon, R. C., Peterson, G. W., & Lenz, J. G. (2004). Career counseling and services: A cognitive information processing approach. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Sampson, J. P., Peterson, G. W., Lenz, J. G., Reardon, R. C., & Saunders, D. E. (1996). Career Thoughts Inventory. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc.

Saunders, D. E., Peterson, G. W., Sampson, J. P., Jr., & Reardon, R. C. (2000). Relation of depression and dysfunctional career thinking to career indecision. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 56(2), 228–298. https://doi.org/10.1006/jvbe.1999.1715

Sue, D. W., Capodilupo, C. M., & Holder, A. M. B. (2008). Racial microaggressions in the life experience of Black Americans. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 39(3), 329–336. https://doi.org/10.1037/0735-7028.39.3.329

Whiston, S. C., Li, Y., Mitts, N. C., & Wright, L. (2017). Effectiveness of career choice interventions: A metaanalytic replication and extension. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 100, 175-184. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb2017.03.010

Xiao, W., Zhou, L., Wu, Q., Zhang, Y., Miao, D., Zhang, J., & Peng, J. (2014). Effects of person-vocation fit and core self-evaluation on career commitment of medical university students: The mediator roles of anxiety and career satisfaction. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 8, Article 8. https://doi.org/10.1186/1752-4458-8-8.

Downloads

Published

01-10-2021