The Role of Positive Psychology, Cultural, and Family Factors in Mexican American College Students' Vocational Outcome Expectations

• In Event: 14.046 - Poster Session 1
  In Poster Session: 14.046-7 - Factors Influencing High School and Postsecondary Vocational and Career Choices

Abstract

A positive psychology, cultural, and family framework is useful to understand Mexican American college students’ career development. In the current study, we examined how presence of meaning in life, hope, gratitude, acculturation, and family importance influenced Mexican American college students’ vocational outcome expectations. Higher levels of meaning in life, hope, family importance, orientation to the Anglo culture, and orientation to the Mexican culture predicted vocational outcome expectations. A discussion regarding the importance of these findings and recommendations for future research and practice are provided.

Authors

• Javier Cavazos, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

• Eunice Lerma, Univeristy of Texas Rio Grande Valley

• James Whittenberg

• Yvette Hinojosa

• Keely Rodriguez

• Mehmet Karaman, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley