This research adopted the social cognitive career theory (SCCT) and the career developmental approach (e.g., Super’s life-space approach) to investigate vocational identity of secondary school students in Hong Kong. The purposes of current research were mainly (1) to examine vocational identity of Hong Kong senior secondary students; (2) to develop a model of vocational identity to outline the relationships of achievement-related motivational factors (i.e., self-efficacy, goal orientation and causal attribution) to vocational identity, and the mediating relationship of hope to vocational identity, for senior secondary school students in Hong Kong; and (3) to explore students’ perceptions of personal and contextual factors to career development. The current research was carried out in three stages, using a mixed quantitative and qualitative research design. Prior to the main study, a pilot study was conducted to a small group of participants (N=143) to test the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. Study One was the main study to examine the hypothesized model of vocational identity. A total of 1,866 students randomly selected from 11 secondary schools completed the questionnaire. The findings supported the proposed model of vocational identity which identified personal control, performance goal orientation, learning goal orientation, self-efficacy as significant predictors of hope, which in turn significantly predicted the outcome of vocational identity. The findings also supported the role of hope as a mediator. Study Two was a qualitative study aiming to explore the participants’ perceptions of the factors identified in Study One, and of the contextual factors which influenced their vocational identity development. Focus group interviews were conducted to the participants (N=23) who completed the questionnaire in Study One. The qualitative findings revealed that appreciations and supports from family, school, peers, graduates and society were significant for adolescents’ vocational identity development. The findings of the current research were discussed in light of theoretical and practical contributions. At the theoretical level, it developed a model of vocational identity highlighting the contributions of personal factors such as self-efficacy, personal control, learning goal orientation, performance goal orientation and hope to adolescents’ career development. At the practical level, the findings pointed to the need of developing a comprehensive student guidance program which integrated personal developmental guidance with career guidance. Such program needs to focus on developing students’ achievement-related motivation and hope. Further, a favorable school learning environment and supports of family, peers and society are salient to secondary students’ career development. The strengths and limitations of the current research and direction for further research were also discussed. / published_or_final_version / Education / Doctoral / Doctor of Education

Lam, Fei Yan Danny. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 176-195). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese; appendixes in Chinese.

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

by Chung Choi Man. / Thesis (M.A.Ed.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1981 / Bibliography: leaves 63-68.

by Chan Yin Fai, Violet. / Title also in Chinese. / Thesis (M.A.Ed.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1989. / Bibliography: leaves 1-8 (second group)

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

by Josephine Shui-fun Law. / Includes questionaire in Chinese. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 46-62). / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT --- p.i / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.ii / LIST OF TABLES --- p.iii / LIST OF APPENDICES --- p.iv / ABSTRACT --- p.1 / Chapter CHAPTER I -- --- Introduction --- p.2 / Sociological Factors Socioeconomic Status --- p.5 / Psychological Factors Achievement Motivation --- p.6 / Self-Esteem --- p.7 / Sex Role Orientation --- p.8 / Gender differences on Aspirations Educational Aspiration --- p.11 / Career Aspiration --- p.12 / Purpose of the Study --- p.14 / Chapter CHAPTER II -- --- Method Subjects and Data Collections --- p.15 / Instruments --- p.16 / Chapter CHAPTER III -- --- Results --- p.23 / Chapter CHAPTER IV -- --- Discussion --- p.34 / REFERENCES --- p.46

by Lau Chun Kwok. / Added t.p. in Chinese and English. / Thesis (M.A.Ed.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 136-144). / ACKNOWLEDGMENTS --- p.i / ABSTRACT --- p.v / Chapter 1. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Gender Differences in Occupational Attainment --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2 --- Influences of Education on Occupational Differences --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Women--the Inferior Species? --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Approaching Equality? --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3 --- Significance of the Study --- p.10 / Chapter 2. --- REVIEW OF LITERATURE --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1 --- The Psychological Perspective --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Cognitive Differences between the Sexes --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Motivational Aspects: Difference in Self-confidence and the 'Fear of Success' Syndrome --- p.13 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Differential Socialization --- p.16 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Sex Role Theory --- p.17 / Chapter 2.2 --- Empirical Studies in the Psychological Perspective --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Causes of Differences and Prospects for change --- p.21 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- A Misinformed Misery? --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Missing Subjects in the Socialization Model --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3 --- The Sociological Perspective --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Functionalist Explanations --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Status Attainment Research --- p.32 / Chapter 2.4 --- The Feminist Critique --- p.34 / Chapter 2.5 --- Summary: Statement of Research Questions --- p.38 / Chapter 3. --- RESEARCH DESIGN --- p.45 / Chapter 4. --- BACKGROUND PROFILES OF INTERVIEWEES --- p.54 / Chapter 5. --- CAREER CHOICES AND EXPERIENCES --- p.68 / Chapter 5.1 --- Typical Ideal Occupations --- p.68 / Chapter 5.2 --- Vocational Preparation and Actual Openings --- p.69 / Chapter 5.3 --- Job Specifications --- p.72 / Chapter 5.4 --- Social Relations in the Workplace --- p.77 / Chapter 5.5 --- Overtime Work and Learning Opportunities --- p.83 / Chapter 5.6 --- Being Young: Little Girl vs Young Man --- p.85 / Chapter 5.7 --- Summary --- p.87 / Chapter 6. --- SCHOOL LIFE AND PREPARATION FOR WORK --- p.90 / Chapter 6.1 --- Irrelevance of School Formal Curriculum --- p.91 / Chapter 6.2 --- Insignificance of Arts/Science Demarcation --- p.94 / Chapter 6.3 --- Lack of Information for Further Vocational Training --- p.94 / Chapter 6.4 --- Ineffective Moral Teachings --- p.95 / Chapter 6.5 --- Some Job-Related Effects of Hidden Curriculum --- p.96 / Chapter 6.6 --- Orientations towards Formal Training --- p.100 / Chapter 6.7 --- Summary --- p.103 / Chapter 7. --- FAMILY PROCESS AND FUTURE EXPECTATIONS --- p.105 / Chapter 7.1 --- Perceived Family Burden --- p.105 / Chapter 7.2 --- Family Influences in Occupational Choices --- p.107 / Chapter 7.3 --- Expectations of Gender Roles in Family and Work --- p.110 / Chapter 7.4 --- Knowledge about Family routines --- p.113 / Chapter 7.5 --- Charting the Future: Career vs Family --- p.116 / Chapter 7.6 --- Summary --- p.120 / Chapter 8. --- SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION --- p.122 / Chapter 8.1 --- Differences in Cognitive Abilities --- p.122 / Chapter 8.2 --- Effects of Socialization --- p.124 / Chapter 8.3 --- Instability and Vagueness of Aspiration --- p.125 / Chapter 8.4 --- Structure and Process of Family Life --- p.126 / Chapter 8.5 --- School Life and Preparation for Work --- p.127 / Chapter 8.6 --- Future Roles and Current Work: A Dialectical Relationship --- p.128 / Chapter 8.7 --- The Structure and Agency Relationship _ --- p.129 / Chapter 8.8 --- Limitations --- p.130 / APPENDIX: INTERVIEWING STRATEGY --- p.134 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.136