Article Is self-reflection dangerous? Preventing rumination in career learning Reineke Lengelle Athabasca University, Canada and The Hague University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands Tom Luken Luken Loopbaan Consult, The Netherlands Frans Meijers The Hague University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands Abstract Reflection is considered necessary and beneficial within career learning and is deemed to be a condition for successful career-identity development. Indeed, reflection is generally seen as a key competency in learning how to respond effectively to a complex and dynamic post-modern world in which individuals are increasingly exposed to risk. Paradoxically however, reflection can itself form a risk when it results in rumination. It is therefore important to identify the conditions and personal (risk) factors that make reflection a detrimental or beneficial activity and to identify elements within career-learning interventions that promote benefit. The purpose here is to increase awareness about reflective versus ruminative processes and promote responsible use of interventions that aim to stimulate reflection in the process of career-identity formation. Based on the ‘‘career writing’’ method, the authors conclude that a successful career intervention must especially provide good facilitation and a safe holding environment. Keywords Career reflection, rumination, narrative, career identity, career writing Introduction The need for career reflection is more paramount in today’s society than ever before and the onus is increasingly on the individual to do the reflecting. While previous forms of career assessment were focused on matching models, such methods are no longer enough (Meijers & Lengelle, 2015; Savickas et al., 2009). Researchers and career professionals are aware that being able to reflect on the self is essen- tial in today’s market and that methods must be developed and assessed that make this possible and effective. However, research in several sub-domains of psychology indicates that an emphasis on reflecting can put people at risk of rumination with its asso- ciated symptoms (e.g. worry, anxiety, depression). These findings have barely been touched upon in the field of career development. Our aim is to offer an overview of the scientific literature on reflection and rumination to career scientists and practitioners. We intend to uncover known conditions that make reflection either dangerous or beneficial. Finally, we will apply the findings by describing how career writing (Lengelle, 2014) is used to promote healthy reflection. We will begin by describing changes in society in the last century, thereby showing the reasons reflec- tion has become essential, but also explore the risks that would make it a form of unhealthy reflection (i.e. rumination). The aim here is also to encourage further research on the topic. Societal developments underlying the need for career reflection Until about halfway through the 20th-century, indi- viduals had little influence over their life course as this was largely determined by the existing and assumed norms and values of the times (Meijers & Wesselingh, Corresponding author: Reinekke Lengelle, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Athabasca University, 1 University Drive, Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3, Canada. Email: reineke@tic.ab.ca Australian Journal of Career Development 2016, Vol. 25(3) 99–109 ! Australian Council for Educational Research 2016 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1038416216670675 acd.sagepub.com at ATHABASCA UNIV LIBRARY on November 22, 2016 acd.sagepub.com Downloaded from