The emotions aroused by a vocational transition in adolescents: why, when and how are they socially shared with significant others?

Adolescents (N = 359) completed a self-report questionnaire assessing the emotional impact of an anticipated transition, their social-sharing modes, the motives and benefits of sharing, and their relationship intimacy with significant others. Partners and motives of vocational sharing depended on the transition’s valence. The intensity of negative emotions and perceived intimacy were positively related to frequency and depth of vocational sharing; intensity of positive emotions and intrapersonal and interpersonal benefits only with the depth of sharing. The links between the quality of relationships with significant others, emotions, social sharing, the management of vocational transitions and career development are discussed.