A profile of mid-life men experiencing career plateau: Demographics, work traits, and self-esteem

The present study examined the demographics, work characteristics, and self-esteem levels of mid-life men experiencing career plateaus. Career plateaus were identified in three ways. First, based on lack of vertical movement (external plateau), second, when the individual felt stagnant, unchallenged, and dissatisfied (internal plateau), and last, when both of the following conditions were met (double plateau). Research questions sought to create a demographic and work-characteristic profile for males experiencing plateau. In addition, this study examined differences in demographics and work characteristics among the different levels of plateau. The self-esteem levels of the sample were also measured and the study sought to define significance between self-esteem and plateau level as well as self-esteem and demographics and work characteristics. Finally post hoc analyses sought to determine the significance of level of self-esteem as it relates to increasing levels of plateau, the lowest being none, and moving to greater levels, external, internal, and double. Participants in the major study were 60 men aged 40–55 currently employed in diverse industries, ranks, occupations, and geographic locations throughout the United States. A survey questionnaire was utilized to collect the data. Questionnaires were distributed via Human Resource personnel and certified Career Counselors. Findings indicate that there are significant differences among certain variables and two levels of plateau; external and double.{09}No internal plateauees are included in the sample. Those significant variables include; marital status, organizational rank, number of hours worked per week, number of children, and years at the same title. The difference between self-esteem in the external and double plateau groups received partial support and therefore, post hoc analyses examined those non-plateaued respondents originally eliminated from the study. The self-esteem levels between those non-plateaued and those at the highest level of plateau (double) were significantly different. Implications of the study were discussed as were its limitations and areas for future study.