A path analysis of effects of the career locus of control dimensions and career decision self-efficacy on career aspiration

Abstract

This study examined the mediating role of career decision self-efficacy in the relationship between career locus of control and career aspiration. A 9-item Career Aspirations Scale, 31-items Career Locus of Control Scale, and 24-item Career Decision Self-Efficacy Short Form were administered to 2700 students from grades 10 to 11 studying in high schools. Path analysis results indicated that a positive direct effect of the internal locus of control on career aspiration and a negative direct effect of powerful others on career aspiration. Internal control, luck, and powerful others explained 43% of the variation in career decision self-efficacy. The results showed a positive direct effect of career decision self-efficacy on career aspiration. All together internal control, luck, powerful others, and career decision self-efficacy explained 42% of the variation in career aspiration. Implications were discussed to enhance internal locus of control and career self-efficacy among students.

Self-objectification and career aspirations among young Chinese women: the roles of self-esteem and career decision-making self-efficacy

“…Studies have shown that self-esteem can positively predict college students' career decision-making selfefficacy (Thompson et al, 2019;Xu et al, 2021). Individuals with high self-esteem are more inclined to consider their own future and believe that they can solve work-related problems, which increases their confidence in career decisions (Xu et al, 2021); thus, they are more likely to have higher career aspirations (Al-Bahrani et al, 2021). Accordingly, we proposed that self-objectification may be related to lower career aspirations via decreased self-esteem and career decisionmaking self-efficacy (Hypothesis 4).…”

“…Career decision self-efficacy is a kind of self-efficacy, and we speculate that self-objectification may be related to low career decision-making self-efficacy. Research has shown that career decision self-efficacy serves as a positive predictor of career aspirations (Gregor et al, 2020;Al-Bahrani et al, 2021). Accordingly, we proposed that self-objectification may be related to lower career aspirations via decreased career decision-making self-efficacy (Hypothesis 3).…”

“…This neglect and underestimation of their abilities may reduce women's confidence in completing certain activities or behaviors, which in turn may lead to low career decision-making selfefficacy. Individuals with low career decision-making self-efficacy tend to show lower career aspirations (Al-Bahrani et al, 2021). Women with self-objectification are thus more likely to show low self-efficacy in career decision-making, which limits their career aspirations.…”

“…Research has shown that the levels for women's career aspirations are significantly lower than those for men (e.g., Fritz and van Knippenberg, 2017), and low career aspirations hinder women's career development and the realization of gender equality in the workplace (Crompton and Lyonette, 2011;Huang et al, 2021). The external environments, including family and work environments, are factors that influence women's career aspirations (Pas et al, 2008;Fritz and van Knippenberg, 2017;Al-Bahrani et al, 2021). Recent studies have found that a social culture that values appearance also affects women's career aspiration (Wang et al, 2020;Huang et al, 2021).…”