Measuring SETPOINT vocational interest dimensions: The development and validation of three short scales

Abstract

Vocational interest research has seen a resurgence in the applied psychology literature, given evidence showing its predictive validity for key work outcomes. There is a need for integrative, reliable, and valid measures to advance research in this space. While the RIASEC model of vocational interests (Holland, 1997) has been the most widely used and studied typology for the assessment of six broad interest types, more recent work with the SETPOINT model (Su et al., 2019) suggests that eight interest dimensions provide better fit to interest data and demonstrates stronger criterion-related validity evidence. However, to date, no short scales are available for measuring the broad SETPOINT dimensions. We developed three short scales with 8, 24, and 41 items, respectively, that capture the eight dimensions of the SETPOINT model in an integrative manner. Using a sample of 972 full-time working adults assessed across two-time points over five weeks, we validated these three short scales following robust psychometric analyses. These scales are shown to have good psychometric properties. The development and validation of the three short scales help close the operational gap for the SETPOINT model and further facilitate the study of interests and use of interest measures in academic and applied settings.