THE RELATIONSHIP OF IDENTITY STATUS TO CAREER INDECISION DURING ADOLESCENCE

According to Erikson, the formation of a vocational identity is one of the main tasks of adolescence. There is ample evidence to suggest tha t during this period of vocational identity formation, many adolescent s experience periods of indecision regarding their career. The present study was designed to examine the relationship between the identity s tatuses, as operationalized by Marcia, and different kinds of career i ndecision. Findings supported the notion that membership in a specific identity status group was significantly related to the nature and amo unt of career indecision reported by 407 students in grades seven thro ugh twelve. The study is interpreted to offer evidence of construct va lidity for the identity and indecision measures used, and suggests ave nues for further research.