Psychometric properties of a career exploratory outcome expectations measure

Social cognitive career theory and research are advanced by increasing attention to career outcome
expectations and by applying this theory earlier in the life span. This article offers the career
exploratory outcome expectations construct as a means of applying the more general construct of
career outcome expectations during the childhood period and introduces the psychometric
characteristics of the Career Exploratory Outcome Expectations Scale (CEOES). Employing data
from 446 fifth graders and item response theory (IRT), the CEOES presents a one-dimensional
structure with a four-category Likert-type response scale. Favorable results of person- and
item-separation reliability were found and the scale appears to perform equally well for both
genders. The CEOES also demonstrated concurrent validity through positive associations with
established self-efficacy measures. The CEOES constitutes a useful measure to study aspects of
career outcome expectations in childhood, and psychometric findings affirm its use in the career
assessment literature.
The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This study was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology through a Doctoral grant (SFRH/BD/84162/2012), supported by POPH/FSE and European Union.
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