| This study explores the possibility that infants' use of caregivers as a secure base from which to explore their surroundings is analogous to adults' use of family and friends as a secure base from which to engage in career exploration. The study hypothesizes that more secure parental attachment leads to more secure adult attachment, and this will be conducive to greater self-efficacy in career exploration, and consequently to a higher level of career exploration.; To investigate these hypotheses, a Midwestern college sample (n = 262) was obtained and structural equation modeling techniques were used to investigate the hypothesized relationships. Parental Attachment was modeled using the Parental Bonding Instrument (Parker, Tupling, and Brown, 1979) and the Love Withdrawal Scale (Swanson and Mallinckrodt, 2001). Adult Attachment was modeled using the dimensions of Anxiety and Avoidance from the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale (Brennan, Clark, and Shaver, 1998). Career Agency was modeled using the short form of the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy scale (Betz, Klein, and Taylor, 1996) and the Career Search Efficacy Scale (Solberg et. al., 1994).; Results support the initial hypotheses, demonstrating significant relationships between: (a) Parental Attachment and the Adult Attachment dimensions of Anxiety and Avoidance, and (b) the dimensions of Anxiety and Avoidance and measures of Career Agency. These results suggest that higher parental Care and lower Overprotection lead to lower Anxiety and Avoidance, which leads to higher Career Search Self-Efficacy and increased career exploration.; Limitations of the study, implications for counseling, and suggestions for further research are discussed. |
