APPLYING SOCIAL COGNITIVE THEORY TO INTEREST IN RESEARCH AMONG COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY DOCTORAL STUDENTS - A PATH-ANALYSIS

In this study, the R. W. Lent, S. D. Brown, and G. Hackett (1994) soci al cognitive model of interest development was applied to the predicti on of interest in research. Participants included 184 counseling psych ology doctoral students. Results of a path analysis indicated that 5 v ariables were significant predictors of interest in research: research outcome expectations, research self-efficacy beliefs, investigative i nterests, artistic interests, and age. In addition, several factors in directly affected interest in research through effects on research sel f-efficacy-the research training environment, Holland Investigative in terests, and gear in program. Research training environment, Holland I nvestigative interests, and research self-efficacy beliefs also had an impact on interest in research indirectly through their effects on re search outcome expectations.