Life history correlates of vocational needs for a female adult sample

According to vocational theory and practice, a relationship exists between vocational needs and life history developmental/experiential factors. A test of this hypothesis was conducted using self-report biodata and measured vocational needs. A 211-item Biographical Information Form (BIF) and the Minnesota Importance Questionnaire (MIQ) were administered to 290 female adults (median age 29 yrs). A weighted BIF was developed to predict scores on each of the 20 MIQ need scales. Using a double cross-validation design, significant average validities were obtained for 19 of the 20 vocational need scales, ranging from .13 to .47, with a median of .35. The female prediction equations failed to generalize to a male sample (N = 100), with only 1 of the 20 MIQ subscale prediction equations being validated. Further analysis showed the practical utility of the BIF as a substitute measure of vocational needs for this female sample. Implications for counseling practice and work adjustment theory are discussed. (40 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).