A cross-cultural comparison of psychology of working theory among U.S. and Korean college students

Haram J. Kim, Shin Ye Kim, Ryan D. Duffy, Nguyen P. Nguyen, Danni Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

The cross-cultural validity of a modified version of psychology of working theory (PWT; Duffy, Blustein, Diemer, & Autin, 2016) was tested in samples of United States (n = 346) and Korean (n = 319) undergraduates. Participants completed measures of economic resources, work volition, career adaptability, occupational engagement, and future decent work perceptions. The results illustrated measurement invariance between the two samples. Thus, the hypothesized models were tested separately in the two samples and the results were compared regarding parameter significance, direction, and magnitude. Overall, the modified model generally fit well with both samples. However, there were notable cross-cultural differences: economic resources significantly predicted work volition, occupational engagement, and future decent work perceptions only in the United States sample and the future decent work perceptions and occupational engagement were negatively associated in the Korean sample. Explanations about the cross-cultural differences and invariances were provided and practical and research implications were discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)568-579
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of counseling psychology
Volume67
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2020

Keywords

  • Career adaptability
  • Cross-cultural study
  • Psychology of working
  • Undergraduates
  • Work volition

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