| This dissertation examines how midlife women make meaning of a career transition, how identity shifts are revised or negotiated, and how relational processes affect the transition. The exploration of developmental and relational processes within career transition is critical to understanding how transition promotes growth for some women, while others feel paralyzed or psychologically distressed. Relational processes, i.e., women's connections and disconnections to self, others, and society (Gilligan, 1991; Miller & Stiver, 1997) illustrate how women cope with cultural and relational expectations in career change. These topics are lacking in the career literature, which focuses primarily on factors prompting individuals to make career changes or on outcomes. Little research exists on the psychological process of career transition itself or on relational influences within it.; This thesis is a qualitative interview study of 13 midlife women who completed a career transition. It explores participants' sense of self, including changes in identity, how relational processes impact identity and support or hinder movement within the transition, and how they characterize progress, stagnation, or growth through career transition. The interviews are analyzed using content coding, cross-case matrices, and feminist, narrative approaches including a voice-centered method and interpretive poetics. Animal metaphors and relational maps are used.; Findings support the centrality of identity and relational connections for midlife women in career transition. Participants revised identity, including shifts in internal career identity without external change. The level of involvement and connection or disconnection within participants' relationships contributed to ease or difficulty in the transition. Participants with the most support and the strongest connections experienced fewer obstacles and dealt more effectively with them; connections specifically around the career process were most beneficial. Relationships seldom addressed in the career literature such as friends, deceased connections, colleagues, and expert help were significant influences. Relational influences assisted participants to overcome dysfunctional self-perceptions or they reinforced negative beliefs.; Findings underscore the importance of relational and psychological support, contrasting with the traditional emphasis on a linear, rational, and individual career transition. Providing support for the emotional and relational contours of career change would help women in transition deal with obstacles and enhance developmental growth. |
