The Connection Between Psychopathology and Dysfunctional Career Thoughts

• Other Authors: Finklea, Jane Tyler (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Psychology; Counseling psychology
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_2016SU_Finklea_fsu_0071E_13426

This purpose of the present study was to explore the relationship between psychopathology and dysfunctional career thoughts, as little research has combined the two constructs. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) was used as a measure of participants’ psychopathology, and the Career Thoughts Inventory (CTI) was used as a measure of participants’ dysfunctional career thoughts. Cognitive Information Processing (CIP) was employed to provide theoretical underpinnings to the study. Five case were chosen from an archival database, and all participants had CTI Total Scale T-scores ≥ 65. Each case contained an MMPI-2 Extended Report which was used to determine findings of psychopathology. Alongside the primary researcher’s interpretations, four Experts in the use of the MMPI/MMPI-2 agreed to interpret the Extended Reports and provide thoughts about symptoms and diagnoses of psychopathology were present. Data were analyzed by the primary researcher and findings were determined based on endorsement across cases. Results of this study indicated that individuals with high levels of dysfunctional career thoughts might also be experiencing psychopathologies and diagnoses of depression, anxiety, somatic concerns, obsessional-compulsive concerns, personality disorders, and gender and culturally based concerns. Implications include a strong need for additional training for practitioners at the intersection of mental health and career concerns and awareness to suicidal ideation in those with dysfunctional career thoughts. === A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. === Summer Semester 2016. === June 24, 2016. === Career Counseling, Career Thoughts Inventory, Dysfunctional Career Thoughts, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2, Psychopathology === Includes bibliographical references. === Debra Sue Osborn, Professor Directing Dissertation; John R. Reynolds, University Representative; James P. Sampson, Jr., Committee Member; Shengli Dong, Committee Member.