Problem Mapping in Problem Mapping in Career Counseling: Career Counseling: The Nexus of Career The Nexus of Career and Mental Health and Mental Health

CounselingCounselingGary W. PetersonGary W. Peterson

Kathryn K. LeasureKathryn K. Leasure

Florida State UniversityFlorida State University

July 1, 2004July 1, 2004

Common Questions from Common Questions from Clients in Career CounselingClients in Career Counseling

What should I major in?What should I major in?

What jobs or occupations are suitable What jobs or occupations are suitable for me?for me?

I’ve just been laid off and need a job. I’ve just been laid off and need a job. Can you help me?Can you help me?

How can a counselor and How can a counselor and client acquire a full client acquire a full appreciation and common appreciation and common understanding of the life understanding of the life context out of which these context out of which these questions arise?questions arise?

Problem MappingProblem Mapping

A projective technique that A projective technique that enables a client to enables a client to construct elements of the construct elements of the problem spaceproblem space

Career Problem SpaceCareer Problem Space

All cognitive and affective All cognitive and affective components contained in working components contained in working memory as individuals approach memory as individuals approach a career problem-solving taska career problem-solving task

Problem Space Problem Space WorksheetWorksheet

A list of all elements in the A list of all elements in the problem spaceproblem space

A spatial representation of A spatial representation of elements in the problem spaceelements in the problem space

The Purpose of The Purpose of Problem MappingProblem Mapping

A screening measure used in intake A screening measure used in intake assessmentassessment

An assessment of complexity in readiness An assessment of complexity in readiness for career counselingfor career counseling

An exploration of the Communication An exploration of the Communication Phase of the CASVE CyclePhase of the CASVE Cycle

A component in the development of an ILPA component in the development of an ILP

ProceduresProcedures

STEP 1: ElicitationSTEP 1: Elicitation

STEP 2: ConstructionSTEP 2: Construction

STEP 3: ElaborationSTEP 3: Elaboration

STEP 4: Individualized Learning PlanSTEP 4: Individualized Learning Plan

STEP 1: ELICITATIONSTEP 1: ELICITATION

Compose elements of the Compose elements of the problem spaceproblem space

STEP 2: CONSTRUCTIONSTEP 2: CONSTRUCTION

Draw a spatial representation Draw a spatial representation of the spaceof the space

STEP 3: ELABORATIONSTEP 3: ELABORATION

ExploreExplore Influence of each elementInfluence of each element Relative influence of each elementRelative influence of each element Relationship among elementsRelationship among elements Relationship to other assessmentsRelationship to other assessments Elements that require further explorationElements that require further exploration

STEP 4: ILPSTEP 4: ILP

Develop an Individualized Learning PlanDevelop an Individualized Learning Plan

CASE STUDY: NedCASE STUDY: Ned

24 year-old computer programmer24 year-old computer programmer

Married, no childrenMarried, no children

Complains of boredom, monotonyComplains of boredom, monotony

Wants a more exciting career pathWants a more exciting career path

Screening Assessments: NedScreening Assessments: Ned

InterviewInterview

Problem Space WorksheetProblem Space Worksheet

Career Thoughts InventoryCareer Thoughts Inventory

Ned’s List of ElementsNed’s List of Elements

Ned’s Problem MapNed’s Problem Map

Ned’s CTINed’s CTI

TotalTotal T=61T=61

Decision-Making ConfusionDecision-Making Confusion T=60T=60

External ConflictExternal Conflict T=60T=60

Commitment AnxietyCommitment Anxiety T=69T=69

Ned’s ILPNed’s ILP

Ned’s MMPINed’s MMPI

Population Population Characteristics of Characteristics of

Problem Mapping TaskProblem Mapping Task Participants were students enrolled in an Participants were students enrolled in an

undergraduate career planning courseundergraduate career planning course n=95n=95 47 males, 48 females47 males, 48 females 18-23 years old (18-23 years old (m=m=20)20) 59% Caucasian, 14% Hispanic-American, 59% Caucasian, 14% Hispanic-American,

14% African-America14% African-America 37% Business majors, 12% undecided37% Business majors, 12% undecided

ProceduresProcedures

Group AdministrationGroup Administration Informed ConsentInformed Consent Instructions Read Aloud Instructions Read Aloud 5 Minutes Recommended to List Factors5 Minutes Recommended to List Factors 3 Minutes Recommended for Mapping3 Minutes Recommended for Mapping Maximum Time Used: 11 MinutesMaximum Time Used: 11 Minutes

Classification Code for Possible Classification Code for Possible Problem Space Worksheet FactorsProblem Space Worksheet Factors

PRINICPLE PRINICPLE DIMENSIONDIMENSION

CONSTRUCT DEFINITIONCONSTRUCT DEFINITION EXAMPLESEXAMPLES

Quality of LifeQuality of Life The manifestation of values in the work environment to which an The manifestation of values in the work environment to which an individual aspires.individual aspires.

-Happiness-Happiness-Prestige-Prestige-Leisure Time-Leisure Time-Travel-Travel-Variety-Variety

MoneyMoney Factors pertaining to the financial costs and benefits associated Factors pertaining to the financial costs and benefits associated with a given career choice.with a given career choice.

-Salary-Salary-Benefit packages-Benefit packages-Cost of Education-Cost of Education

FamilyFamily Issues surrounding members of the nuclear or extended family, Issues surrounding members of the nuclear or extended family, individually or as a unit.individually or as a unit.

-Mother-Mother-Parents-Parents-Uncles-Uncles

EducationEducation All factors relating to the acquisition of the knowledge necessary for All factors relating to the acquisition of the knowledge necessary for a given career choice.a given career choice.

-Major-Major-Length of program-Length of program-Difficulty of coursework-Difficulty of coursework

InterestsInterests The emotional arousal associated with the career domain being The emotional arousal associated with the career domain being considered.considered.

-Interesting-Interesting-Not boring-Not boring-I enjoy working with-I enjoy working with computerscomputers

Self-doubtSelf-doubt Any statements that reflect an individuals’ insecurity regarding their Any statements that reflect an individuals’ insecurity regarding their character or abilities.character or abilities.

-Can I do the job?-Can I do the job?-Am I smart enough?-Am I smart enough?-I always change my -I always change my

mindmind

EmploymentEmployment All statements referring to obtaining the desired career position.All statements referring to obtaining the desired career position. -Job market-Job market-Can I get a job after -Can I get a job after

graduation?graduation?-Advancement -Advancement

opportunitiesopportunities

Normative Distribution Normative Distribution Across the CodeAcross the Code

Dimension of Problem SpaceDimension of Problem Space SubcategoriesSubcategories Mean Area Used Mean Area Used (%)(%)

WorkWork 82.382.3

ValuesValues 21.221.2

MoneyMoney 14.314.3

EducationEducation 12.612.6

InterestInterest 8.48.4

Self-DoubtSelf-Doubt 8.08.0

EmploymentEmployment 6.66.6

LocationLocation 5.65.6

SkillsSkills 5.55.5

RelationshipsRelationships 17.417.4

FamilyFamily 11.911.9

Friends/MentorsFriends/Mentors 1.81.8

Significant OthersSignificant Others 1.61.6

Multiple CategoriesMultiple Categories 1.11.1

SocietySociety 0.80.8

SpiritualitySpirituality 0.20.2

UnclassifiedUnclassified 0.30.3

Modal Student Taking a Career Planning Course

Correlation with CTI TotalCorrelation with CTI TotalDimension of Problem SpaceDimension of Problem Space SubcategoriesSubcategories rr

WorkWork -0.02-0.02

ValuesValues -0.17-0.17

MoneyMoney -0.01-0.01

EducationEducation -0.01-0.01

InterestInterest 0.020.02

Self-DoubtSelf-Doubt 0.170.17

EmploymentEmployment 0.25*0.25*

LocationLocation -0.13-0.13

SkillsSkills -0.03-0.03

RelationshipsRelationships 0.020.02

FamilyFamily 0.020.02

Friends/MentorsFriends/Mentors -0.03-0.03

Significant OthersSignificant Others -0.06-0.06

Multiple CategoriesMultiple Categories 0.120.12

SocietySociety -0.05-0.05

SpiritualitySpirituality 0.100.10

UnclassifiedUnclassified -0.00-0.00

Variety of MapsVariety of Maps

Random Placement

Bull’s Eye

PieShape

Interesting ExamplesInteresting Examples

Contradictions Underlying Themes

Strengths and Strengths and Advantages of Problem Advantages of Problem

MappingMapping Holistic Appraisal Holistic Appraisal Full Range of FactorsFull Range of Factors Externalizes the ProblemExternalizes the Problem A Means for Organization of ThoughtsA Means for Organization of Thoughts Circumscribing Affect Circumscribing Affect Common Mental ModelCommon Mental Model Inexpensive and Easy to AdministerInexpensive and Easy to Administer

Limitations and CaveatsLimitations and Caveats

Here-and-Now PerceptionsHere-and-Now Perceptions Invokes Strong EmotionsInvokes Strong Emotions Counselor’s Own ProjectionsCounselor’s Own Projections Unused SpaceUnused Space Client’s Level of InvolvementClient’s Level of Involvement Counselor’s Level of InvolvementCounselor’s Level of Involvement

Questions?Questions?