High School Students' Career Decision‐Making Difficulties

A Multi‐Factor Analysis Based on Career Construction Theory

Bibliographic Data

ID21376499
AuthorsHuaruo Chen (0000-0002-3106-8038, College of Education Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications Nanjing China), Huadi Wang (0000-0002-3012-339X, School of Education Science, Nanjing Normal University Nanjing China), Ya Wen (0000-0002-1942-2110, School of Teacher Education, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University Nanjing China), Xueping Shen (Career Development Education Research Center, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Nanjing China), Jie Xu (0000-0001-5291-5198, School of Education Science, Nanjing Normal University Nanjing China), Xueying Gu (School of Education Science, Nanjing Normal University Nanjing China), Wanru Song (0000-0002-7067-6108, College of Education Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications Nanjing China, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume62
Issue8
Pages2594-2607
Publication date2025-08-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychology in the Schools (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-3085 • E-ISSN: 1520-6807
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/pits.23487
OpenAlexW4409003791
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited54

Drawing on survey data from 634 Chinese high school students, this study investigated the mechanisms of career decision‐making through the lens of career construction theory. The findings revealed two key insights. First, career adaptability significantly mediated the relationship between students' need satisfaction and career decision‐making difficulties. Second, while career exploration alone did not exhibit a direct mediating effect, it formed a chain mediation mechanism with career adaptability between need satisfaction and career decision‐making difficulties. Additionally, the study identified a moderating role of career exploration in the relationship between need satisfaction and career decision‐making difficulties. However, only high levels of career adaptability were found to effectively reduce such difficulties and enhance need satisfaction

Career Counseling · Career development · Career education · Career planning · Career portfolio · Cognitive Information Processing · Factor (programming language) · Mathematics education · Pedagogy · Vocational education · Applied Psychology · Career Development and Diversity · Grit, Self-Efficacy, and Motivation · Psychology · Resilience and Mental Health

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