Características sociodemográficas e de personalidade de adolescentes em processo de orientação profissional: a técnica de Zulliger como instrumento de análise

Abstract

The professional choice usually occurs in adolescence, a phase that for most young people is fraught with internal and external conflicts. Vocational guidance (VG) helps young people to reflect on their characteristics, interests, labor market, meaning of work in their lifes, encouraging self-knowledge so they can make a safer choice. This research aimed to provide information on sociodemographic and personality characteristics of adolescents in VG process, characterizing the profile of the sample and addressing decision-making as an outcome of choice. In addition, we analyzed the results of psychometric and projective instruments in the identification of personality characteristics, and investigated the possible influence of symptoms of depression and anxiety in vocational indecision. The first section consisted of a systematic literature review, in order to create a mapping in databases of scientific journals on studies describing the use of psychological tests for the analysis of personality in vocational guidance. The databases that were used for the search were Medline, PsyicINFO, Lilacs and ProQuest, which were researched the literature production from 2005 to 2011 using the keywords "psychological tests" and "vocational guidance"; "occupational choice" and "personality traits" and "psychological assessment", "vocational guidance" and "personality". It was found that few articles have been published addressing the objective of this review, however, the subject of vocational guidance is widespread in many countries, existing extensive research and publications in the area. The three empirical studies that support the thesis took place from the use of sociodemographic data sheet, Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Factorial Personality Inventory (IFP), Questionnaire to Evaluate Typology (QUATI), Readiness Ruler and Zulliger test . The studies used the quantitative and transversal method , with the sample for convenience. In total we analyzed data from 100 adolescents, aged 15 to 26 years, who sought vocational guidance of the SAPP-PUCRS. The second section aimed to analyze the sociodemographic and personality characteristics of adolescents; the third focused on the process of decision making and the predominant characteristics, and the fourth assessed the possible influence of symptoms of anxiety and depression in decision making. It was found through studies that some personality characteristics are consistent with the phase in which young people are, and we observed a tendency towards extroversion, the appreciation for movement and constant change, the use of feelings when making decisions and solving problems, the presence of limited resources to direct and organize behavior, showing some impulsivity in certain situations. We identified the readiness for change in a process of vocational guidance and a predominance of the introversion vivencial style in decision making. The study also found that the majority of the population studied obtained minimum and light levels on testing involving the BAI and BDI-II, indicating expected symptoms for a young and non-clinical population, with no significant influence of anxiety and depression symptoms in their professional choice.