GLI INTERESSI PROFESSIONALI ESPLORATI ATTRAVERSO LO STRONG-CAMPBELL INTEREST INVENTORY (SCII): LE PRIME SCALE ITALIANE

Background: In the field of career development and vocational psychology, E. K. Strong's measures of interests have a central role. Many studies propose these tests (Strong Vocational Interest Blank, Strong Interest Inventory) as a way to make use of human interests to explore cultural differences; this does not occur in Italy, where the difficulty in scoring (many extremely complex scales to evaluate, without computer support) an Italian SVIB version proposed by Sprini and Mineo (1967) caused their low diffusion. The aim of this study is the translation and validation of the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory (SCII, form T325) in the Italian context. Methods: The SCII was translated and back-translated, reviewed and administered to 2,408 Italian subjects (1,264 female and 1,144 male), using the original method for the construction of the scales. Results: 33 professional scales, 6 general occupational themes and 24 basic interests scales were developed. Moreover, the validity of the scales and the applicability of Holland's hexagonal model of the structure of interests in the Italian population was explored. The feasibility of transferring the SCII to the Italian culture, and interpreting the SCII in additional cultures or languages are discussed. Conclusions: Results indicate that the instrument shows cross-cultural applicability and validity. The importance the use of traditional psychological tests, like the SCII, in career counseling is underscored. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)