This study is to identify the causal effect of family function on decision types of future career of adolescents by applying a circomplex model developed by Olsen et. al. (1979, 1985 and 1992). Specifically, it classifies related variables as follows:...
This study is to identify the causal effect of family function on decision types of future career of adolescents by applying a circomplex model developed by Olsen et. al. (1979, 1985 and 1992). Specifically, it classifies related variables as follows: open-type communication and problematic communication as independent variables; family cohesion, family adjustment, family satisfaction, future certainty, and self-acceptance as intermediate variables; and parents' nurturing attitude ( receptive/rejective) as a control variable. This study makes a causal model to identify what effect reasonable decision-making and dependent decision-making have on adolescents and provide useful data for preparation for practical and educational methods. It interviews secondary and high school students in Gwanju city and Jeollanamdo province using a questionnaire from July 16 to July 31, 2007. A total of 440 copies of the questionnaire are distributed, of which 436 copies are returned. Of them, except 44 copies whose answers are not sincere, 392 copies are used for the final analysis.
The results of the study show that open-type communication has a significant effect on family cohesion, family adaptability, family satisfaction, future certainty, and self-acceptance in a positive way while the problematic communication has a negative effect on all the variables above. Considering mothers' nurturing attitude as an adaptability variable, this study identifies what adaptability effect occurs when intermediate variables such as family cohesion, family adaptability, family satisfaction, future certainty, and self-acceptance influence decision-making on future career as an dependent variable.
As a result of the study, it is found that the important variables that have a positive effect on reasonable decision-making on their career include family cohesion, family adaptability, family satisfaction, future certainty, and self-acceptance. And in respect to the demonstration of adjustment effect according to mothers' attitude, when mothers' attitude is receptive rather than rejective, family cohesion, future certainty, and self-acceptance has greater effect on reasonable decision-making in a positive way, which indicates that mothers' nurturing attitude has adaptability effect. Therefore, to enhance positive effect on decision-making of adolescents, mothers' attitude should be receptive. The most important thing is that when fathers' communication is open-type, it has a significant effect on all the variables of family cohesion, family adaptability, family satisfaction, future certainty, and self-acceptance in positive ways. So, fathers should put more efforts to make open communication with their children. The theoretical suggestion of this study is : it identifies that family function has effect on career decision-making of adolescents using a circomplex model, and the causal effect among independent variables, intermediate ones and dependent variables specifically. The results are presented as follows :
First, this study schematizes communication styles based on the previous studies by Olson et. al. (1985) to empirically demonstrate that communication is one of the important family functions that works as a catalyst of cohesion and adaptability.
Second, based on previous studies by Olson et. al. (1985), it measures family satisfaction in aspects of cohesion and adaptability and even communication more comprehensively. As well, to supplement the limits of previous studies, it uses an integrated model and identifies the causal effect. That is, it empirically demonstrates the causal effect that communication, cohesion and adaptability have effect on satisfaction, self-identity and career decision-making through the model and the comprehensive causal effect.
Third, using family satisfaction and self-identity as intermediate variables that have not been examined in previous studies, it demonstrates their causal effect on career decision-making as a dependent variable. And it identifies what adaptability effect mothers' nurturing attitude as an adaptability variable has. Using the theoretical suggestions as basic data, it is to obtain practical suggestions that will be helpful for reasonable career decision-making. Based on the theoretical suggestions of this study, it obtains the following practical suggestions :
First, when fathers have open communication with their children, as family functions such as family cohesion and adaptability increase, satisfaction also increases, which is demonstrated through the result of the study that the open communication is very helpful for right self-identity of adolescents. Therefore, fathers should make every effort to have more time to communicate with their children, that is, to attempt open-type communication. If fathers' communication types change even a little, emotional unity among family members can be consolidated, they are able to adapt to changes more easily, family satisfaction can be enhanced and children can have firm identity. Therefore, we should develop programs to improve fathers' communicative ability and provide education for them. To improve family cohesion, family members should share their free time. Since 2006, as schools have adapted their programs to 5 days of lesson every second week, we need to develop leisure management programs on which family members spend their time together.
Second, to help adolescents to make a reasonable career decision-making, mothers should have receptive attitude rather than rejective. These days, continuing education centers or various counselling institutes have provided effective parent education programs. Learning receptive nurturing attitude will be one of good methods.
Third, to help adolescents make reasonable career decision-making, enhancing the family function is important, but the career education that fits for secondary and high school students through linkage between schools and families should be provided, and we need the linkage system that teachers and parents jointly help adolescents to have reasonable career decision-making. As well, schools should develop subjects that can help students make right decision of their careers according to their aptitude and talents beyond existing knowledge-oriented teaching and learning system.