Career Adapt-Abilities Scale (CAAS-Brazil): Psychometric properties, differences as a function of sociodemographic variables and normative standards

Abstract

This article aimed to propose normative standards for the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale (CAAS-Brazil) considering differences in terms of sociodemographic variables: gender, marital status, age group, education level, and income. The sample consisted of 2999 individuals, within the age range of 14 to 77 years, mostly women (63%) from 21 Brazilian states. The psychometric properties of CAAS-Brazil were investigated using Item Response Theory and the Omega coefficient. Results showed invariance for the CAAS-Brazil and greater mean differences in the variables age group, education, and income. From this, normative standards for the overall sample were presented and divided considering the variables that showed differences. The normative standards presented in this article will enable career guidance professionals to interpret the career adaptability scores of their students, making the assessment more robust.

Keywords:
psychological assessment; professional development; test interpretation; vocational guidance; psychometry