The influence of gender on STEM career choice: A partial least squares analysis

• DOI: 10.58459/rptel.2024.19025
• Publication Date: 2023-11-08T06:23:59Z
• Authors: Tiny Chiu Yuen Tey; Priscilla Moses; Phaik Kin Cheah
• Keywords: Psychiatry; Perseverance and Passion for Long-Term Goals; Social Psychology; Academic Emotions; 05 social sciences; Statistics; Social Sciences; Experimental and Cognitive Psychology; Work Engagement; Social psychology; Structural equation modeling; FOS: Psychology; Inclusive Science Education; The Psychology of Achievement Motivation and Learning; Social Cognitive Theory in Career Development; Psychological intervention; STEM Education; FOS: Mathematics; Psychology; 0503 education; Safety Research; Student Engagement; Mathematics

Students’ participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is still one of the most critical worldwide educational challenges despite efforts to promote STEM. Debates about gender disparities STEM careers also remain perpetual. Early documented literature suggested shifts students’ choices were due significant others, media exposure attitude. Therefore, first aim this paper was examine direct indirect relationships a proposed model, analyze mediating roles attitude relationship between subjective norms career choice intention. The second moderating role gender. Respondents study 806 secondary school students Malaysia. Based on results from partial least squares structural equation modeling, (i) had both influence intention STEM, (ii) mediators (iii) moderated exposure. findings drawn provide insights into design development initiatives for parents, teachers, peers by considering importance media, attitude, Recommendations policy practice enhancements future research directions support interventions