Graduation Term

2014

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Department of Psychology: Clinical-Counseling Psychology

Committee Chair

Margaret M. Nauta

Abstract

This thesis reports the results of an online survey study that examined the associations of role model influences, support/guidance, and socioeconomic status (SES) with college students' major satisfaction and leadership aspirations. Of the 558 students who responded to the survey invitation, data from 494 students who had provided responses on the main variables were included in the major analyses. Contrary to hypotheses, SES and the nontraditionality of students' majors were not significantly related to leadership aspirations or major satisfaction. The results did support the hypotheses that support/guidance and inspiration/modeling would be associated with students' leadership aspirations and major satisfaction, but these associations did not vary as a function of the nontraditionality of students' fields. Additional analyses revealed that among those in relatively nontraditional fields, there was no significant difference between men and women in regards to the associations of role-model influences and support with leadership aspirations. The findings suggest that support and role-model influences are important factors in determining the major satisfaction and leadership aspirations individuals regardless of their gender or the nontraditionality of their fields.

Access Type

Thesis-Open Access

DOI

http://doi.org/10.30707/ETD2014.Yeoward.J

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