Career Self-Efficacy and Family Influence among Youth with Different Hearing Status

This study examined the career decision-making self-efficacy (CDMSE) of deaf and typically hearing young adults and the contribution of career-related family support and expectations to this type of self-efficacy. Participants were 110 young adults: 50 deaf persons and 60 persons with typical hearing. They completed the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale and the Family Influence Scale. Study groups did not differ in their CDMSE. However, deaf participants reported lower levels of financial support and higher levels of family expectations compared to participants with typical hearing. An interaction was found between hearing status and family's financial status in participants' CDMSE, and family support and expectations significantly contributed to certain CDMSE factors only among the participants with typical hearing. Deaf participants who used only sign language reported lower levels of self-efficacy to gather career-related information compared to deaf participants who used only spoken language. Implications for research and practice are discussed.