The Impact of College Students' Career Decision Self-Efficacy on Career Adaptation from the Perspective of High-Quality Employment: The Mediating Role of Career Preparation Behavior

This study primarily analyzes the impact of career decision self-efficacy and career preparation behavior on career adaptation, discussing the mediating role of career preparation behavior among 522 college students. The results show significant positive correlations among career decision self-efficacy, career preparation behavior, and career adaptation. Career decision self-efficacy significantly positively influences career preparation behavior, with the sub-factors of influence in descending order being problem-solving, future planning, and goal-setting. Self-evaluation and career information do not have a significant impact on career decision self-efficacy. Career decision self-efficacy also has a significant positive effect on career adaptation, with future planning and problem-solving having the highest influence. Self-evaluation, career information, and goal-setting do not significantly impact career adaptation. Career preparation behavior has a significant positive effect on career adaptation, with the sub-factors in descending order being information gathering behavior, goal achievement behavior, and tool preparation behavior. In the mediation test, career preparation behavior partially mediates the effects, mainly through problem-solving and future planning influencing information gathering and goal achievement behaviors, thereby enhancing students' interest in careers, self-behavioral control, curiosity about future developments, and confidence. Thus, problem-solving and future planning in career decision self-efficacy are critical for enhancing students' career adaptation and achieving high-quality employment.