Reciprocal effects between parental support and career maturity in the developmental process of career maturity

This study investigates the relationship between parental support and children’s career maturity. It was expected that parental support would not only affect their children’s career maturity but would also vary depending on the degree of their career development. Additionally, the relationship between parental support and career maturity is expected to change as children develop career consciousness. The longitudinal data were analyzed using a longitudinal analysis method to verify the interrelationships between parental support and career maturity according to an adolescent’s growth. The results indicated that parental academic support in the first year of middle school had a positive effect on children’s career maturity in the third year of middle school. Additionally, career maturity in the first year of middle school had a positive effect on parents’ emotional support in the third year of middle school. However, the relationship between parental support and career maturity in the third year of middle school to the second year of high school showed a slightly different pattern—both academic and emotional support from parents had a positive effect on children’s career maturity, and children’s career maturity had a positive effect on parents’ academic and emotional support. The results of this study have several implications.