Stereotype Threat and Career Goals Among Women in STEM: Mediating and Moderating Roles of Perfectionism

This study examines how the interplay between individual and contextual factors contributes to the academic and career outcomes of female science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students. Hypotheses regarding the indirect influence of stereotype threat on STEM career goals were asse...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of career development 2021-10, Vol.48 (5), p.569-583
Main Authors: Lin, Chaihua, Deemer, Eric D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Career Choice
Females
Occupational Aspiration
Personality Traits
Self Efficacy
Sex Stereotypes
STEM Education
Student Characteristics
Student Interests
Undergraduate Students
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Summary:This study examines how the interplay between individual and contextual factors contributes to the academic and career outcomes of female science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students. Hypotheses regarding the indirect influence of stereotype threat on STEM career goals were assessed. Data were collected from 323 undergraduate women students in STEM disciplines through an online survey. Using structural equation modeling, results revealed that (a) perfectionism mediated the relationship between stereotype threat and self-efficacy, and (b) stereotype threat was distally associated with career goals through the mediating mechanisms of perfectionism, self-efficacy, and interest. In an alternative model, perfectionism was also not found to moderate the indirect association between stereotype threat and interest. Recommendations for future research and implications for practice are presented.
ISSN:0894-8453
1556-0856
1573-3548
DOI:10.1177/0894845319884652