Skip to main content
Search
Search
    Quick Search anywhere
    Quick search in Citations
Advanced Search
Skip main navigationClose Drawer MenuOpen Drawer Menu
Previous article
Next article
Open AccessMultistudy Report

Development and Validation of a Work Values Scale for Assessing High School Students

A Mixed Methods Approach

Published Online:June 28, 2017https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000408

Abstract

Abstract. Assessing work values with high school students is a critical component of career counseling practice, however it remains a relatively understudied area of research. The purpose of this study was to develop and provide psychometric evaluation of a Work Values Assembly (WVA) scale for assessing high school students. This study employed a mixed methodology to gather research data and conduct data analyses. In the first study, 30 participants were involved in focus-group interviews about their work values. The interview data were analyzed through a grounded theory approach and a framework of seven-dimension work values was derived. In the second study, the WVA scale was constructed based on the descriptions and dimensions of the first study. Seven hundred fifty three high school students participated in the pilot study. The revised scale was then administered to 896 high school students in a formal test. The exploratory- and confirmatory factor analyses re-verified the quality of the items and the construct validity of the WVA scale. The scale also demonstrated good test-retest reliability and criterion-related validity. Finally, 896 and 592 participants from high schools and colleges, respectively, participated in a test of measurement invariance between the two groups. Implications for counseling as well as suggestions for future research were discussed.

References

  • American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, National Council on Measurement in Education. (2014). The standards for educational and psychological testing. Washington, DC: AERA/APA/NCME. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Betts, J. (2011). The economics of tracking in education. In E. HanushekS. MachinL. WoessmannEds., Handbook of the economics of education (Vol. 3, pp. 341–381). Amsterdam, North Holland. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Byrne, B. M. (2001). Structural equation modeling with AMOS, EQS, and LISREL: Comparative approaches to testing for the factorial validity of a measuring instrument. International Journal of Testing, 1, 55–86. doi: 10.1207/S15327574IJT0101_4 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Cabrera, A. F., Nora, A. & Castaneda, M. B. (1993). College persistence: Structural equations modeling test of an integrated model of student retention. Journal of Higher Education, 64, 123–139. doi: 10.2307/2960026 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Chen, F. F. (2007). Sensitivity of goodness of fit indexes to lack of measurement invariance. Structural Equation Modeling, 14, 464–504. doi: 10.1080/10705510701301834 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Chen, Y. H., Wang, J. T., Liu, Y. S., Ou, T. H. & Li, K. J. (1987). Work values scale revised report. Journal of National University of Tainan, 20, 1–33. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Cheung, G. W. & Rensvold, R. B. (2002). Evaluating goodness-of-fit indexes for testing measurement invariance. Structural Equation Modeling, 9, 233–255. doi: 10.1207/S15328007SEM0902_5 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Corbin, J. & Strauss, A. (2007). Basics of qualitative research: Techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Creswell, J. W., Plano Clark, V. L., Gutmann, M. L. & Hanson, W. E. (2003). Advanced mixed methods research designs. In A. TashakkoriC. TeddlieEds., Handbook of mixed methods in social and behaviour research (pp. 209–240). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Dawis, R. V. (1991). Vocational interests, values, and preferences. In M. D. DunnetteL. M. HoughEds., Handbook of industrial organizational psychology (pp. 833–871). Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologist Press. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Dawis, R. V. & Lofquist, L. H. (1984). A psychological theory of work adjustment. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Dolan, S. L., Díez-Piñol, M., Fernández-Alles, M., Martín-Prius, A. & Martínez-Fierro, S. (2004). Exploratory study of within-country differences in work and life values: The case of Spanish business students. International Journal of Cross Cultural Management, 4, 157–180. doi: 10.1177/1470595804044747 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Dose, J. J. (1997). Work values: An integrative framework and illustrative application to organizational socialization. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 70, 219–240. doi: 10.1111/j.2044-8325.1997.tb00645.x First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Duffy, R. D. & Sedlacek, W. E. (2007). The work values of first-year college students: Exploring group differences. The Career Development Quarterly, 55, 359–364. doi: 10.1002/j.2161-0045.2007.tb00090.x First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Elizur, D. (1984). Facets of work values: A structural analysis of work outcomes. The Journal of Applied Psychology, 69, 379–389. doi: 10.1037/0021-9010.69.3.379 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Fabrigar, L. R., Wegener, D. T., MacCallum, R. C. & Strahan, E. J. (1999). Evaluating the use of exploratory factor analysis in psychological research. Psychological Methods, 4, 272–299. doi: 10.1037/1082-989X.4.3.272 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Fuller, T. D., Edwards, J. N., Sermsri, S. & Vorakitphokatorn, S. (1993). Housing, stress, and physical well-being: Evidence from Thailand. Social Science and Medicine, 36, 1417–1428. doi: 10.4135/9781483349008.n6 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Gay, E. G., Weiss, D. J., Hendel, D. D., Dawis, R. V. & Lofquist, L. H. (1971). Minnesota studies in vocational rehabilitation: Vol. XXVIII. Manual for the Minnesota Importance Questionnaire. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota, Industrial Relations Center. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Gerpott, T. J. (1988). Career orientations in different countries and companies. Journal of Management Studies, 25, 439–462. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-6486.1988.tb00709.x First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Ginzberg, E., Ginsburg, S. W., Axelrad, S. & Herma, J. L. (1951). Toward a theory of occupational choice. New York, NY: Columbia University Press. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Hair, J. F.Jr., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., Anderson, R. E. & Tatham, R. L. (2006). Multivariate data analysis (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson-Prentice Hall. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Harpaz, I. & Fu, X. (2002). The structure of the meaning of work: A relative stability amidst change. Human Relations, 55, 639–667. doi: 10.1177/0018726702556002 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Hartung, P. J., Fouad, N. A., Leong, F. T. & Hardin, E. E. (2010). Individualism-collectivism links to occupational plans and work values. Journal of Career Assessment, 18, 34–45. doi: 10.1177/1069072709340526 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Hu, L. & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling, 6, 1–55. doi: 10.1080/10705519909540118 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Huang, H. J., Eveleth, D. M. & Huo, Y. P. (1998, December). Chinese work-related value system: Developing a “GCF-LEACH” framework for comparative studies among Chinese societies. Paper presented at the Inaugural Conference of the Asia Academy of Management, Hong Kong. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Hung, J. P. & Liu, C. M. (2003). Studies on work values in Taiwan: A critical review. Research in Applied Psychology, 19, 219–250. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Jambrak, J., Deane, F. P. & Williams, V. (2014). Value motivations predict burnout and intentions to leave among mental health professionals. Journal of Mental Health, 23, 120–124. doi: 10.3109/09638237.2013.869576 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Jin, J. & Rounds, J. (2012). Stability and change in work values: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 80, 326–339. doi: 10.1016/j.jvb.2011.10.007 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Johnson, M. K. (2002). Social origins, adolescent experiences, and work value trajectories during the transition to adulthood. Social Forces, 80, 1307–1340. doi: 10.1353/sof.2002.0028 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Jöreskog, K. G. & Sörbom, D. (2004). LISREL 8.7 for Windows [Computer Software]. Lincolnwood, IL: Scientific Software International. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Judge, T. A. & Bretz, R. D. (1992). Effects of work values on job choice decisions. The Journal of Applied Psychology, 77, 261–271. doi: 10.1037/0021-9010.77.3.261 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Kaiser, H. F. (1958). The varimax criterion for analytic rotation in factor analysis. Psychometrika, 23, 187–200. doi: 10.1007/BF02289233 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Kline, R. B. (2010). Principles and practice of structural equation modeling (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Krueger, R. A. (1988). Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research. London, UK: Sage. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Krueger, R. A. & Casey, M. A. (2000). Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Lee, C. S., Hung, D. K. M. & Ling, T. C. (2012). Work values of Generation Y preservice teachers in Malaysia. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 65, 704–710. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.11.187 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Lent, R. W. & Brown, S. D. (2006). On conceptualizing and assessing social cognitive constructs in career research: A measurement guide. Journal of Career Assessment, 14, 12–35. doi: 10.1177/1069072705281364 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Leuty, M. E. & Hansen, J. I. C. (2011). Evidence of construct validity for work values. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 79, 379–390. doi: 10.1016/j.jvb.2011.04.008 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Little, T. D. (1997). Mean and covariance structures (MACS) analyses of cross-cultural data: Practical and theoretical issues. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 32, 53–76. doi: 10.1207/s15327906mbr3201_3 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Long, J. S. (1983). Confirmatory factor analysis: A preface to LISREL. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage. First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Lu, L. & Lin, G. C. (2002). Work values and job adjustment of Taiwanese workers. Research and Practice in Human Resource Management, 10, 70–76. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Macnab, D., Bakker, S. & Fitzsimmons, G. (2005). Career values scale manual and user’s guide. Alberta, CA: Psychometrics Canada. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Marsh, H. W., Nagengast, B. & Morin, A. J. S. (2013). Measurement invariance of big-five factors over the life span: ESEM tests of gender, age, plasticity, maturity, and La Dolce Vita effects. Developmental Psychology, 49, 1194–1218. doi: 10.1037/a0026913 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Maynard, D. C. & Parfyonova, N. M. (2013). Perceived overqualification and withdrawal behaviours: Examining the roles of job attitudes and work values. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 86, 435–455. doi: 10.1111/joop.12006 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • McCloy, R., Waugh, G., Medsker, G., Wall, J., Rivkin, D. & Lewis, P. (1999a). Development of the O*NET computerized work importance profiler. Raleigh, NC: National Center for O*NET Development. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • McCloy, R., Waugh, G., Medsker, G., Wall, J., Rivkin, D. & Lewis, P. (1999b). Development of the O*NET paper-and-pencil work importance locator. Raleigh, NC: National Center for O*NET Development. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Meade, A. W., Johnson, E. C. & Braddy, P. W. (2008). Power and sensitivity of alternative fit indices in tests of measurement invariance. The Journal of Applied Psychology, 93, 568–592. doi: 10.1037/0021-9010.93.3.568 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Morgan, D. L. & Krueger, R. A. (1993). When to use focus groups and why. In D. L. MorganEd., Successful focus groups: Advancing the state of the art (pp. 3–19). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Nunnally, J. C. (1978). Psychometric theory. New York, NY: McGraw Hill, Inc. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Pryor, R. (1979). In search of a concept: Work values. Vocational Guidance Quarterly, 27, 250–258. doi: 10.1002/j.2164-585X.1979.tb00993.x First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Raju, N. S., Laffitte, L. J. & Byrne, B. M. (2002). Measurement equivalence: A comparison of methods based on confirmatory factor analysis and item response theory. The Journal of Applied Psychology, 87, 517–529. doi: 10.1037/0021-9010.87.3.517 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Robinson, C. H. & Betz, N. E. (2008). A psychometric evaluation of Super’s Work Values Inventory-Revised. Journal of Career Assessment, 16, 456–473. doi: 10.1177/1069072708318903 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Rokeach, M. (1973). The nature of human values. New York, NY: Free Press. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Ros, M., Schwartz, S. H. & Surkiss, S. (1999). Basic individual values, work values, and the meaning of work. Applied Psychology, 48, 49–71. doi: 10.1111/j.1464-0597.1999.tb00048.x First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Rounds, J. B.Jr. & Armstrong, P. I. (2005). Assessment of needs and values. In D. BrownR. LentEds., Career development and counseling: Putting theory and research to work (pp. 305–329). New York, NY: Wiley. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Rounds, J. B.Jr., Henly, G. A., Dawis, R. V., Lofquist, L. H. & Weiss, D. J. (1981). Manual for the Minnesota importance questionnaire. Minnesota, MA: Vocational Psychology Research Center. University of Minnesota. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Schmitt, N. & Kuljanin, G. (2008). Measurement invariance: Review of practice and limitations. Human Resource Management Review, 18, 210–222. doi: 10.1016/j.hrmr.2008.03.003 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Schwartz, S. H. (1992). Universals in the content and structure of values: Theoretical advances and empirical tests in 20 countries. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 25, 1–65. doi: 10.1016/S0065-2601(08)60281-6 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Sortheix, F. M., Chow, A. & Salmela-Aro, K. (2015). Work values and the transition to work life: A longitudinal study. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 89, 162–177. doi: 10.1016/j.jvb.2015.06.001 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Steinmetz, H., Schmidt, P., Tina-Booh, A., Wieczorek, S. & Schwartz, S. H. (2009). Testing measurement invariance using multigroup CFA: Differences between educational groups in human values measurement. Qualitative and Quantitative, 43, 599–616. doi: 10.1007/s11135-007-9143-x First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Sung, Y. T. & Chao, T. Y. (2015). Construction of the examination stress scale for adolescent students. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 48, 44–58. doi: 10.1177/0748175614538062 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Sung, Y. T., Cheng, Y. W. & Hsueh, J. H. (2017). Identifying the career-interest profiles of junior-high-school students through latent profile analysis. Journal of Psychology, 151(3), 229–246. doi: 10.1080/00223980.2016.1261076 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Sung, Y. T., Chao, T. Y. & Tseng, F. L. (2016). Reexamining the relationship between test anxiety and learning achievement: An individual-differences perspective. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 46, 241–252. doi: 10.1016/j.cedpsych.2016.07.001 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Sung, Y. T., Cheng, Y. W. & Wu, J. S. (2016). Constructing a situation-based career interest assessment for junior high school students and examining their interest structure. Journal of Career Assessment, 24, 347–365. doi: 10.1177/1069072715580419 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Sung, Y. T., Huang, L. Y., Tseng, F. L. & Chang, K. E. (2014). The aspects and ability groups in which little fish perform worse than big fish: Examining the big-fish-little-pond effect in the context of school tracking. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 39, 220–232. doi: 10.1016/j.cedpsych.2014.05.002 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Super, D. E. (1970). Work values inventory. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Super, D. E. (1980). A life-span, life-space approach to career development. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 16, 282–298. doi: 10.1016/0001-8791(80)90056-1 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Super, D. E. & Crites, J. O. (1957). Vocational development: A framework for research. New York, NY: Teachers College Press, Columbia University. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Super, D. E. & Sverko, B. (1995). Life roles, values and careers: International findings of the Work Importance Study. San Francisco, CA: Jossey Bass. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Tabachnick, B. G. & Fidell, L. S. (2007). Using multivariate statistics (5th ed.). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Tashakkori, A. & Teddlie, C. (2003). Handbook of mixed methods in social and behavior research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Thompson, B. (2004). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis: Understanding concepts and applications. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Trautwein, U., Lüdtke, O., Marsh, H. W., Köller, O. & Baumert, J. (2006). Tracking, grading, and student motivation: Using group composition and status to predict self-concept and interest in ninth-grade mathematics. Journal of Educational Psychology, 98, 788–806. doi: 10.1037/0022-0663.98.4.788 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Vandenberg, R. J. & Lance, C. E. (2000). A review and synthesis of the measurement invariance literature: Suggestions, practices, and recommendations for organizational research. Organizational Research Methods, 3, 4–70. doi: 10.1177/109442810031002 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • White, C. (2006). Towards an understanding of the relationship between work values and cultural orientations. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 25, 699–715. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhm.2005.07.002 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Wöhrmann, A. M., Fasbender, U. & Deller, J. (2016). Using work values to predict post-retirement work intentions. Career Development Quarterly, 64, 98–113. doi: 10.1002/cdq.12044 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Wong, S. W. & Yuen, M. (2012). Work values of university students in Chinese Mainland, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. International Journal for the Advancement of Counseling, 34, 269–285. doi: 10.1007/s10447-012-9155-7 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Wu, J. Y. & Hughes, J. N. (2015). Teacher network of relationships inventory: Measurement invariance of academically at-risk students across ages 6 to 15. School Psychology Quarterly, 30, 23–36. doi: 10.1037/spq0000063 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Wu, T. S., Li, K. C., Liu, Y. S. & Ou, H. M. (1996). Work values scale development. Taipei, Taiwan: Youth Development Administration, Ministry of Education. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Zytowski, D. G. (1970). The concept of work values. Vocational Guidance Quarterly, 18, 176–186. doi: 10.1002/j.2164-585X.1970.tb00231.x First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Zytowski, D. G. (1994). A super contribution to vocational theory: Work values. The Career Development Quarterly, 43, 25–31. First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Zytowski, D. G. (2006). Super Work Values Inventory-Revised: Technical manual (version 1.0), Retrieved from http://www.Kuder.com/PublicWeb/swv_manual.aspx First citation in articleGoogle Scholar