'I Felt Like Being Upgraded': Emerging Adults' Experiences of Socioeconomic Resources in Relation to Their Vocational Identity Development in Turkey. Issue 1 (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gonul, Buse; Wängqvist, Maria
• Other Names: San Antonio Donna Marie guest-editor.; Cohen-Scali Valérie guest-editor.; Aisenson Gabriela guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Emerging adulthood. Volume 10:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 173
• Page End: 187
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: socioeconomic resources -- emerging adulthood -- vocational identity development -- vocational exploration; Young adults -- Periodicals; Adolescence -- Periodicals; Teenagers -- Periodicals; Adolescent psychology -- Periodicals; 305
• DOI: 10.1177/21676968211054600
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2167-6968

Abstract

The present study aimed to explore how economic and social resources interact with emerging adults' vocational identity development. Emerging adults ( N = 108) from different socioeconomic backgrounds in Turkey were interviewed. Participants' reflections on the intersection between socioeconomic resources and vocational identity development were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Results revealed that access to economic and social resources was described as a mediating factor between vocational choices and identity expression. Participants' reports also showed that economic and social resources interacted with vocational identity development by affecting vocational exploration, expectations of vocational choices, perceived support and guidance, and future projections. While participants' socioeconomic background was a significant factor affecting the prevalence of participants' experiences, connections between the subthemes also indicated different clusters of experiences. Results provide important insights regarding the intersection between socioeconomic resources and vocational identity and the boundary and promoting factors leading emerging adults to pursue their vocational aspirations.