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Aspiration–attainment gaps predict adolescents’ subjective well-being after transition to vocational education and training in Germany

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: An occupational aspiration-attainment gap (AAG) is defined as a discrepancy between the socioeconomic status (SES) of the aspired occupation and the one attained. We investigated how experiencing an occupational AAG after transition to vocational education and training (VET) affects three domains of subjective well-being (SWB) among adolescents in Germany (general life, job, and income satisfaction). Using longitudinal data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), we could track respondents' SWB during the transition to and during VET. Results from latent growth curve models revealed that both under- and overachievement of aspirations (i.e., negative and positive AAGs) reduced initial levels of SWB after VET entry-especially work-related satisfaction (i.e., income and job satisfaction). Individuals with an AAG (both negative and positive) tended to experience a slightly larger increase in SWB during VET than those who met their aspirations. Overall, our results suggest that the decisive factor for adolescents' SWB is not the SES of the VET position they attain, but rather whether that position is the exact type of position to which they aspired.

Source: PLoS ONE

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287064

Authors: Désirée Nießen, Alexandra Wicht, Clemens M. Lechner

Institutions: GESIS - Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences, University of Siegen, Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training

Language: English

Topic: Career Development and Diversity

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,805