The Mid-Career Crisis in Relation to Super's Career and Erikson's Adult Development Theory

Abstract

There is a need to integrate career development theory with adult development theory and a need to include females in the research. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mid-career crisis from the perspective of Erikson's and Super's theory, and to determine whether there are sex differences distinguishing mid-career changers. The sample consisted of 134 males and females who faced a mid-career crisis. They were categorized into three groups: changed, changing, and persisters representing different points on a decision-making continuum. All participants were given a structured interview, the Ego Identity Scale, the Tennessee Self Concept Scale, the Personality Research Form, and the Career Development Inventory. The results of the data analyses revealed that individuals who changed careers scored significantly higher on identity achievement and affiliation, and there was a significant positive correlation between identity achievement and self-concept. In terms of their vocational development, persisters were concerned with exploration tasks, whereas those who had changed careers described these tasks as declining in importance. In addition, five patterns of transition were identified. No sex differences emerged on the variables, indicating that career change as a pathway to identity achievement is similar for both sexes.