Comparing Attribution Styles and Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy
Abstract
Comparing Attribution Styles and Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy
Between Immigrant and U.S.-Born Black Women
by
Temora P. Gray
MA, Columbia University, 2005
BS, New School University, 2003
Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Psychology
Walden University
February 2015
Many Black women living in the United States select service-oriented careers over non-service-oriented jobs. However, few studies have addressed the career development of immigrant Black women, especially those from sub-Saharan Africa. Deriving from the implications from social cognitive career theory and attribution theories, the purpose of this nonexperimental study was to examine (a) the relationship between the length of stay of sub-Saharan African immigrant women in the United States career choice, (b) the relationship between immigrant status and career choice, and (c) the decision-making self-efficacy and career choice differences between U.S.-born Black women and sub-Saharan African immigrant women. The Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale (Short Form) and Assessment of Attributions for Career Decision-Making were administered to 167 Black women, who were selected using a quota sampling approach. Results showed no relationship between the length of stay of sub-Saharan African immigrant women in the United States and career choice. Immigrant status was not related to career choice, and there were no significant differences in career decision self-efficacy and career attribution between U.S.-born Black women and sub-Saharan African immigrant women. This study offered a first step in calling attention to the career development processes of sub-Saharan African women. The implications for positive social change include the potential to help these women explore nontraditional careers such as those in the hard sciences. Black professional women, in particular, could provide much needed mentorship to sub-Saharan African women to encourage them to consider nonservice-oriented careers.
