A longitudinal examination of occupational aspirations in middle childhood and adolescence

  • Jeongeun Park

Student thesis: Doctoral ThesisDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Abstract

The present thesis aimed to examine (a) the development of group typicality in occupational aspirations (OAs) in middle childhood and early adolescence (Study 1) and (b) the long-term links between OAs and academic attainment in middle childhood and adolescence (Study 2). This examination was conducted by simultaneously considering the multiple dimensions of OAs: gender typicality, ethnic typicality and status. This thesis conducted two empirical studies, guided by the integrative theoretical framework and using data from Sweeps 4, 5 and 6 of the UK’s Millennium Cohort Study (ages 7, 11 and 14, respectively). Each dimension of OAs was operationalised based on gender and ethnic representation, and median hourly pay of occupations, by using the UK’s Annual Population Survey data. Study 2 was restricted to England. Multilevel and random intercept cross-lagged panel modelling approaches were applied. This thesis demonstrates the dynamic and intersectional influence of social group positions on the development of various facets of OAs in the underexplored period of middle childhood and early adolescence. This thesis further contributes to the literature by evidencing the directional link between multidimensional forms of OAs and academic attainment over the extensive period of primary and secondary schooling. This thesis particularly shows when and how the possibly paradoxical or context-dependent effect of OAs emerges in shaping academic attainment across groups. The results suggest (a) a rethink and expansion of the traditional psychological theory and research and (b) a potential timing and direction of evidence-based policy and practice to better support group-level aspiration and academic development.
Date of Award6 Dec 2022
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • University of Bristol
SupervisorJo Rose (Supervisor), Shelley McKeown Jones (Supervisor) & E V Washbrook (Supervisor)

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