PAULO JORGE SANTOS (**)

ABSTRACT

According to the self-psychology of Heinz Kohut, development of a healthy narcissism that is reflected in a secure sense of self, permits individuals to set and pursue meaningful life goals and maintain a sense of well-being, particularly in periods of transition and change. Based on this perspective, the primary purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of goal instability and self-esteem to the vocational identity of Portuguese high school students using a sample of 375 individuals. Additionally, the effect of gender and age on vocational identity was assessed. A regression equation accounted for 32% of the variance of the dependent variable with goal instability emerging as the strongest predictor. Implications for career theory and counseling are discussed.

Key words: Goal instability, self-esteem, vocational identity, adolescence.

De acordo com a psicologia do self de Heinz Kohut o desenvolvimento de um narcisismo saudável, que se reflecte no sentimento de segurança do self, permite aos indivíduos determinar e prosseguir objectivos de vida e manter a auto-estima, particularmente em períodos de transição e mudança. Baseado nesta perspectiva, o principal objectivo deste estudo, que utilizou uma amostra com 375 estudantes que frequentavam o Ensino Secundário, consistiu em avaliar a contribuição da instabilidade de objectivos e da auto-estima para a identidade vocacional de adolescentes. A influência do género e da idade foi igualmente considerada. A equação de regressão permitiu explicar 32% da variância da variável critério e a instabilidade de objectivos demonstrou ser a variável independente mais importante. São discutidas implicações para a teoria e consulta vocacionais.

Palavras-chave: Instabilidade de objectivos, auto-estima, identidade vocacional, adolescência.

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(*)Uma primeira versão deste artigo foi apresentado na European Association for Research on Adolescence Conference, Oxford, United Kingdom, 3-7 September 2002.

Correspondência relacionada com este artigo deve ser endereçada a Paulo Jorge Santos, Faculdade de Letras, Secção Autónoma de Educação, Universidade do Porto, Apartado 55038, 4150-564 Porto, Portugal. E-mail: pjsosantos@sapo.pt

(**)Faculdade de Letras, Secção Autónoma de Educação, Universidade do Porto.