O objeto deste estudo é a verificação das propriedades métricas (validade de construto e consistência interna) do "Inventário de Preocupações de Carreira de Adulto - versão para Atletas" (IPCAAt 0 - 61) (Balbinotti e Balbinotti, 2008). Trata-se de um inventário de 61 itens (15 itens por dimensão, sendo 5 para cada subdimensão mais um item que avalia os projetos de uma provável mudança de carreira). O inventário analisa quatro dos cinco estados de desenvolvimento de carreira (a primeira foi excluída em razão da idade) conforme a teoria de Super (1957). Estes 4 estados e seus subestados se apresentam, em ordem, como segue: exploração (cristalização, especificação e realização); estabelecimento (estabilização, consolidação e avanço profissional); manutenção (manter posição, atualizar-se e inovar); e desengajamento (desaceleração, planificação da aposentadoria e vida de aposentado). Participaram desta pesquisa 336 atletas, brasileiros, de ambos os sexos (masculino, 255; feminino, 81) com idades variando de 16 a 56 anos, de 16 modalidades esportivas. Cuidados éticos foram tomados de forma que se obteve o consentimento de todos os sujeitos participantes da pesquisa. Primeiramente, foram analisadas as estatísticas de consistência interna do instrumento, de cada dimensão e subdimensão das preocupações de carreira. Os índices de média e de correlações item-item e item-dimensão (e subdimensão) apresentaram-se satisfatórios. O resultado do alpha de Cronbach apresentou índices considerados desejáveis (superiores a 0,80), o menor índice observado entre as dimensões foi de 0,90 e nas subdimensões foi de 0,84. Ao analisar o modelo fatorial exploratório, os valores indicaram que todas as correlações parciais estavam adequadas para proceder à análise fatorial exploratória, de tal modo, os resultados confirmaram a unidimensionalidade de cada dimensão. Posteriormente, com a intenção de verificar se as quatro dimensões são realmente compostas por três subdimensões cada, testou-se a validade confirmatória através dos indicadores Quiquadrado, razão entre Qui-quadrado e graus de liberdade, GFI, AGFI e RMS (que foram estimados para a amostra geral e para sexo). Os resultados indicaram estar de acordo com os critérios padrão para a amostra geral e sexo masculino e parcialmente aceitável para o sexo feminino. Assim, o IPCAAt-61 apresentou, fortemente, precisão em suas medidas e que se trata de dimensões consistentes e que avaliou de forma fidedigna aquilo que elas propõem avaliar. Ainda foram exploradas estatísticas descritivas de tendência central, de dispersão e de distribuição da amostra. Finalmente, comparações de médias, com o propósito de verificar a necessidade de criação de tabelas normativas de acordo com os subgrupos de sexo e idade, foram conduzidas. Os resultados obtidos indicaram ser necessário à criação de tabelas normativas diferentes para os subgrupos da amostra, o que efetivamente se fez. / The object of this study is the verification of metric properties (construct validity and internal consistency of) the "Adult Career Concerns Inventory - version for Athletes" (IPCAAt - 61) (Balbinotti and Balbinotti, 2008). This is a list of 61 items (15 items by dimension, and 5 for each subdimension one more item that assesses the projects of a probable change of career). The survey examines four of the five states of career development (the first was ruled out on grounds of age) as the theory of Super (1957). These 4 states and their states sub are presented in order, as follows: holding (crystallization, specification and implementation), establishment (stabilization, consolidation and professional advancement), maintenance (maintaining position, update it and innovate), and disengagement (deceleration, planning for retirement and retired life). 336 athletes participated in this research, Brazilian, both sexes (male, 255, female, 81) with ages ranging from 16 to 56 years, from 16 sports. Ethics of care was taken so that the consent is obtained from all subjects participating in the research. First, the statistics were examined for internal consistency of the instrument, each dimension and subdimension the concerns of their career. The indices of average correlations and item-item and item-scale (and subscale) were satisfactory. Thus, the results of Cronbach's alpha showed indices considered desirable (above 0.80), the lower rate was observed between the dimensions of 0.90 and subdimensions was 0.84. The figures indicated that all the partial correlations were adequate for the exploratory factor analysis, so the results confirmed the unit dimension in each dimension. Later, with the intention to verify whether the four dimensions are actually composed of three subdimension each, it was tested the validity through confirmatory indicators chi-square, ratio of chi-square and degrees of freedom, GFI, AGFI, and RMS (which were estimated for the overall sample and for sex). The results indicated that in accordance with standard criteria for the overall sample and males and partially acceptable for females. Thus, one can assume the validity of the inventory, since the construct validity was established for the total sample and by gender. The IPCAAt-61 shows, strongly, precisely in its measures and dimensions that it is consistent and reliable way of assessing what they offer value. Descriptive statistics were also used for central tendency, dispersion and distribution of the sample. Finally, comparisons of means in order to verify the need for setting up tables in accordance with the normative subgroups of sex and age were conducted.

D. Litt. et Phil. / Factor analytic techniques were used to investigate the psychometric properties of three measuring instruments, namely the Adult Career Concerns Inventory (Super, Thompson & Lindeman, 1988), the Career Attitudes and Strategies Inventory (Holland & Gottfredson, 1994), and the Career Resilience Questionnaire (Fourie & Van Vuuren, 1998). The analyses served the purpose of elucidating the conceptual meanings of the constructs of career concerns, career status and career resilience in adult vocational adjustment. In an exploratory factor analysis of the Adult Career Concerns Inventory theoretical considerations suggested the extraction of four factors which explained 74% of the variance in the correlation matrix. The communalities of the variables were determined by means of squared multiple correlations of the subscales. On oblique rotation by means of Promax, a four factor solution was supported, reflecting the underlying dimensions of Exploration, Establishment, Maintenance and Disengagement. High correlations among the factors suggested the presence of a general factor, which may be termed career concerns. A factor extension analysis indicated the high quality of the test items, and a high level of correspondence between the Maintenance and Establishment factors. Maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analyses of the Adult Career Concerns Inventory were subsequently performed to test four and three factor measurement models. The estimated standardised factor pattern coefficients of both the models were found to be statistically significant. High correlations between the Maintenance and Establishment factors from the four factor model however favoured the three factor model, which allows for the merging of these two latent dimensions. In an exploratory factor analysis of the Career Attitudes and Strategies Inventory use were made of constructed item parcels. Theoretical considerations suggested the extraction of nine factors, which accounted for 54% of the variance in the correlation matrix. The squared multiple correlations of the Career Attitudes and Strategies Inventory item parcels were used to determine the initial communalities, and the nine factors were obliquely rotated by means of Promax. With the exception of two of the parcels, the factor pattern coefficients indicated that all the item parcels could be explained by nine factors that correspond with the Career Attitudes and Strategies Inventory subscales, namely Job Satisfaction, Career Worries, Family Commitment, Interpersonal Abuse, Skill Development, Geographical Barriers, Risk-taking Style, Work Involvement, and Dominant Style. The relative independence of these factors were inferred from the interfactor correlation matrix. A factor extension analysis indicated the overall high quality of the test items. A maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analysis of the Career Attitudes and Strategies Inventory at item parcel-level was based on a measurement model in accordance with the nine factors mentioned above. This analysis supported the nine factor model and revealed interesting relations among the dimensions of the Career Attitudes and Strategies Inventory. An exploratory factor analysis of the Career Resilience Questionnaire at item-level was also performed. Although the Kaiser criterion suggested the extraction of as many as 15 factors, and the MAP values suggested six factors, the initial communalities based on the squared multiple correlations were also considered. The initial communalities were reiterated twice, and the residual four factors accounted for 27% of the variance. An oblique rotation of the factors by means of Promax resulted in the tentative labelling of four latent dimensions, namely Leadership, Sense of Security in One’s Career, Acceptance of Uncertainty, and Values. These factors had satisfactory reliability coefficients, but no significant intercorrelations. Due to the theoretical inadequacies of this analysis, an oblique multiple groups factor analysis of the Career Resilience Questionnaire was performed in an attempt to cross-validate the factor solution reported by Fourie and Van Vuuren (1998). Low reliability coefficients of the factors were however obtained, an the postulated measurement model could not be supported. In an interbattery factor analysis of the Adult Career Concerns Inventory and the Career Attitudes and Strategies Inventory both theory and reliability coefficients of various factor solutions were considered, which resulted in the extraction of six factors. The factors were rotated obliquely by means of Direct Quartimin. The resultant factor solution met theoretical expectations by indicating several shared dimensions of the two instruments. Implementation, Advancing, Holding and Updating were grouped with Career Worries and Risk-taking Style. Job Satisfaction related negatively in a shared dimension with Crystallisation, Specification, Implementation, Retirement Planning and Retirement Living. Innovation was associated with Work Involvement, Skill Development and Dominant Style. Stabilisation, Risk-Taking Style and Geographical Barriers formed a shared dimension. Deceleration and Interpersonal Abuse were likewise associated. Lastly, Family Commitment and Updating shared a negative relation within another dimension. In essence, these factor analyses support the construct validity, theoretical generalisability, and usefulness of both the Adult Career Concerns Inventory and the Career Attitudes and Strategies Inventory, but fails to support the construct validity of the Career Resilience Questionnaire. Moreover, a foundation has been laid for the theoretical integration of the constructs of career concerns and career status.

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