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Making a Commitment to Your Future: Investigating the Effect of Career Exploration and Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy on the Relationship between Career Concern and Career Commitment

Author

Listed:
  • Shi Chen

    (School of Education Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China)

  • Yan Xue

    (School of Psychology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210097, China)

  • Huaruo Chen

    (School of Education Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China
    Center for Research and Reform in Education, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MA 21286, USA)

  • Hairong Ling

    (School of Education Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China)

  • Jiajing Wu

    (Faculty of Social Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Xueying Gu

    (School of Education Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China)

Abstract

Career commitment refers to individuals’ dedication to their career; in the field of vocational psychology, career commitment is considered a vital factor for promoting a sustainable career. The current study examined a mediation model of career concern related to career commitment with career exploration and Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy (CDMSE) as two mediators. The participants were 1105 high school students (males = 594, females = 511) recruited from three main cities in Jiangsu Province, China. Results indicated that the hypotheses were all confirmed: the direct effect of career concern on career commitment was significant ( β = 0.598, p < 0.001); the indirect effect of career concern on career commitment through career exploration and CDMSE was also significant ( β = 0.255, p < 0.001); and career exploration and CDMSE mediated the relation from career concern to career commitment. Finally, the authors discussed the implications of the findings which could be applied to improve a high school student’s career commitment and the sustainability of career development. The limitations of the study and the future research needed to complement the current work are also discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Shi Chen & Yan Xue & Huaruo Chen & Hairong Ling & Jiajing Wu & Xueying Gu, 2021. "Making a Commitment to Your Future: Investigating the Effect of Career Exploration and Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy on the Relationship between Career Concern and Career Commitment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-17, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:22:p:12816-:d:683166
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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