Self-esteem as a moderator of the relationship between self-perceived abilities and vocational choice

Abstract

TESTED THE HYPOTHESIS THAT HIGH-SELF-ESTEEM STUDENTS ARE MORE LIKELY TO CHOOSE THOSE OCCUPATIONS WHICH THEY PERCEIVE TO REQUIRE THEIR HIGH ABILITIES THAN THOSE WITH LOW SELF-ESTEEM. THE HYPOTHESIS WAS SUPPORTED, THUS EMPHASIZING FURTHER THE ROLE OF SELF-ESTEEM AS A MODERATOR ON THE CHOICE OF OCCUPATIONAL ROLES. SOME IMPLICATIONS OF THESE FINDINGS FOR A CLOSED-LOOP SYSTEM WHEREBY CHOICE PATTERNS WHICH ARE A FUNCTION OF SELF-ESTEEM ALSO TEND TO REINFORCE THE LEVEL OF SELF-ESTEEM ARE DISCUSSED. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)