A Path Model of SCCT Applied to the Rural Appalachian Community

The current study investigates the relationship between variables in the Social Cognitive Career Theory model as applies to rural Appalachia. A path model was conducted in order to see which variables are significantly related, as well as which paths differ from the hypothesized model, in this population. Results suggest that there is a direct effect of college going self-efficacy (CGSES) on college planning behaviors (CPB), as well as direct paths from barriers and postsecondary supports (PSS) to pursuing a education after high school. Indirect effects were also found from PSS and Barriers to CPB through CGSES. Surprisingly, no direct path was found between college outcome expectations and any of the other variables, with the exception of PSS. Implications and limitations of the study suggest that future literature should investigate how these distinctions in the model may affect the theory within the rural Appalachian population, as well as collectivist and/or rural populations more generally.