Exploring the Contextual Influences on Adolescent Career Identity Formation: A Qualitative Study of Hong Kong Secondary Students

Abstract

This paper draws on Marcia and Porfeli’s identity status models to examine the relationship between adolescent career identity formation and its contextual aspects. Focus group interviews were conducted with 26 students at two Hong Kong senior secondary schools. It was found that most participants exhibited the career identity statuses of achievement, searching moratorium, or moratorium towards the end of school. Influences that were identified from family, school, and social culture varied across individuals with different career identity statuses. By reporting the findings from an East Asian school setting, the paper provides theoretical and practical implications for career development for senior secondary school students.

Keywords

career/vocational education/guidance research content areas vocational identity high school students sample populations qualitative methods research methods career development stages

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