The Investigation of Difference Career Maturity Based on Identity Status among Adolescence with Visual Disorder

Objectives: The current study aimed at investigating the relationship between identity status and career maturity among adolescents with visual disorders, as compared to normal adolescents. Methods: The study had two populations: all normal high school students in Tehran city (including boys and girls) and all visually-disabled high school students in Tehran (including boys and girls). The sample consisted of 275 students, of whom 65 were students with visual disabilities and 210 were normal students. For the students with visual disabilities the sample included all the population and normal students were selected using a multi-stage sampling. To collect data, participants completed Dellas Identity Status Inventory (DISI-O) and Career Development Inventory -Australian- Short Form (CDI-A-SF). Data were analyzed using kolmogrov-Smirnov test, one way analysis of variance, T-test for independent groups and covariance. Results: Results indicated career maturity differed significantly by different identity status of the participants (P<0.0001). The statistical differences obtained indicated there were relationships between identity status and career maturity. It was also found career maturity differed significantly among normal and visually-disabled students (P=0.04). However, no significant difference was found among male and female students in terms of career maturity (P=0.14). Discussion: The results of the current study suggested career maturity differed by the four identity statuses. And there is differences between career maturity in normal and visual disabilities group’s results indicated mean score of normal student in career maturity was significantly higher than the other group.