Sex and Ethnic Differences in the Perception of Educational and Career‐Related Barriers and Levels of Coping Efficacy

Abstract

Participants (168 female and 118 male undergraduate students) completed a brief questionnaire, a measure of perceived educational and career‐related barriers, and a measure of coping efficacy. As expected, women and ethnic minorities anticipated significantly more career‐related barriers than did men and European American students, respectively. Ethnic minorities also exhibited more perceived educational barriers and lower self‐efficacy for coping with perceived career‐related barriers relative to their European American counterparts. Findings are discussed in terms of their theoretical implications and practical career counseling applications.