Career Decision Self-Efficacy Mediates Social Support and Career Adaptability and Stage Differences

Abstract

Based on social cognitive career theory model of career self-management, this study explored the mediating roles of career decision self-efficacy (CDSE) between diverse sources of social support and adolescents’ career adaptability. Additionally, the effects of stage differences on career adaptability were also examined. A questionnaire was used to survey 1,268 Chinese adolescents to test the study hypotheses. The findings indicated that family support, friend support, and teacher support could influence adolescents' career adaptability either directly or indirectly via CDSE and that teacher support had the largest effect on adolescents’ career adaptability compared to family support and friend support. In addition, the effects of diverse sources of social support on CDSE and career adaptability differed among junior high school and senior high school students. These results indicate the importance of contextual and individual cognitive factors on adolescent career development. Suggestions for future research and practice are also proposed.