Structural Validity of Holland’s Circumplex Model of Vocational Personality Types in Africa

This study investigated the construct (structural) validity of Holland’s circumplex model of vocational personality types in Africa. Data were obtained on the general occupational themes of the Strong Interest Inventory for 28 countries. These countries were classified into three different geographic regions (Eastern Africa, Southern Africa, and Western Africa). The randomization test and circumplex covariance structure modeling were used to investigate the fit of Holland’s circumplex model across these regions. Results provide preliminary evidence for the generalizability of Holland’s model in the African context. Inspection of the angular locations of the six vocational personality types in two-dimensional space indicated slight disordering of the types in the Eastern Africa region and the correct ordering of the types in the Southern and Western African regions. Implications for theory and practice are discussed