Associations of Parental Variables and Youth’s Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Despite extensive research on career decision-making self-efficacy (CDMSE) in relation to youth's career development and outcomes, the relative influence of different parental variables on youth's CDMSE remains relatively unclear. Thus, this meta-analysis sought to compare correlational findings concerning the influence of three types of parental variables-parental cognitions, parenting behaviors, and parentchild relationships-on youth's CDMSE. This meta-analysis also aimed to examine differences in how maternal influences only, paternal influences only, and the influence of both parents are associated with youth's CDMSE. A systematic search for relevant literature was conducted in six scientific databases (i.e., ERIC, PsycINFO, Social Sciences Citation Index, Social Services Abstracts, Sociological Abstracts, and Social Work Abstracts) and other sources (i.e., Google Scholar and reference searching), which yielded 27 quantitative studies from 3529 records on parental factors of youth's CDMSE published between 1983 and 2020. The results showed that all three types of parental variables demonstrated a low to medium association with youth's CDMSE, although parental cognitions had the largest effect size (r = .312; 95% CI [0.217, 0.407]), followed by parenting behaviors (r = .303; 95% CI [0.248, 0.359]) and parent-child relationships (r = .255; 95% CI [0.226, 0.284]). The effect size for the influences of both parents (r = .312; 95% CI [0.264, 0.359]) was found to be larger than that of maternal (r = .256; 95% CI [0.216, 0.296]) or paternal influences (r = .230; 95% CI [0.186, 0.275]) alone. Those results pose important implications and indicate promising directions for research and practice to improve parenting about young people's career development. KeywordsParental cognitions, parenting behaviors, parent-child relationships, meta-analysis, career decision-making self-efficacy Highlights • Youth's career decision-making self-efficacy was the outcome variable in this study.• Different parental influences impact youth's career decision-making self-efficacy.• Parental cognition was most strongly correlated with the outcome variable.• Parenting behaviors and parent-child relationships also affect the outcome variable.• Both parents together impact the outcome variable more than a single parent alone.

Parents’ Perceptions on Parental Involvement in Their Children’s Education in Giyani Municipality Rural-based Schools, Limpopo Province, South Africa

“…This finding is essential for learners at a young age in making an informed decision that might have a fundamental impact on their employability. The finding supports previous researchers (To et al, 2022;Parola & Marcionetti, 2022) who also established the role of parents in their children's career paths. Consequently, the research supports Epstein's theory in terms of stakeholders that must form part of the decisions made to improve children's academic achievement.…”

“…They can then get the opportunity to observe how their children relate to each other and with their educators, which is important for a child's educational development (Bromley & Yazdanpanah, 2021). Likewise, parental support influences children's decisions in career choices (Parola &Marcionetti, 2022;To et al, 2022). Indeed, children who receive parental support at home are more likely to make a good career choice compared to children who do not receive support.…”

The Impact of Family Relationship Quality on Youth's Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy: The Mediating Role of Youth's Positive Decision-Making Skills

“…Along with the constant and fast-paced changes in contemporary career environments, researchers have paid significant attention to career development and the psychological factors associated with its development, particularly with regard to an individual's career decision-making self-efficacy (Taylor & Betz, 1983;To et al, 2021). According to self-efficacy theory proposed by Bandura (1977Bandura ( , 1986, self-efficacy can refer to an individual's belief in his or her ability to enact the behaviors necessary for making performance attainments.…”

The Relationship Between Parental Attachment and Career Aspirations in Indian Female Undergraduate Students

“…In regards to how attachment security impacts career development, Wright and colleagues (e.g., Wright & Perrone, 2008; Wright & Perrone, 2010; Wright et al, 2014; Wright, 2017) have argued for the inclusion of attachment as a relational variable that should be considered within the SCCT framework, and have demonstrated direct empirical support for this notion. For example, there is evidence that secure attachment to parents relates to aspects of students’ career development, such as career exploration and planning (Boerchi et al, 2019; Vignoli et al, 2005) and self-efficacy pertaining to career decisions and tasks (O’Brien et al, 2000; To et al, 2021; Wolfe & Betz, 2004). In particular, Wright and Perrone (2008) suggest that attachment security would reflect in individuals’ ability to be more willing to approach and participate in learning experiences to progress career development, rather than experiencing distress or avoiding such experiences.…”

“…In particular, Wright and Perrone (2008) suggest that attachment security would reflect in individuals’ ability to be more willing to approach and participate in learning experiences to progress career development, rather than experiencing distress or avoiding such experiences. Moreover, To et al (2021) found in a recent meta-analysis that parental cognitions, parenting behaviors, and parent-child relationship quality were associated with the career development of their children. These authors reason that secure relationships with parents might allow students to experience emotional support, which in turn would contribute to greater confidence in and commitment towards career decision making.…”