Mediating Role of Career Thoughts for the Effect of Career Exploration on Career Decision Making

Abstract

The study examined mediating role of career thoughts for the effect of career exploration on career decision making in adolescents. Furthermore the mediation was also assessed in reverse direction to cross verify. Sample comprised of 392 adolescents (53.3% male) age ranged 18-25 year mean+ SD (21.15 + 1.62). Two assumptions were made; first, career thought mediates between career exploration and decision making and second career exploration mediates between career thought and decision making. Multiple linear regression analysis presented mediating effect of decision making confusion between reaction exploration and career uncertainty (β=-0.34, p<.001, ΔR2=.07) as well between reaction exploration and career decision making (β= -.40, p<.001, ΔR2=.06). On the other hand, exploration belief (β=-0.24, p<.001, ΔR2=.12) mediated the effect of decision making confusion on career certainty. Further, reaction exploration mediated the effect of decision making confusion on career certainty and decision making (β=-0.21, p<.001; β=-0.28, p<.001, ΔR2=.07). Exploration appears to have a major role in career decision making process in adolescence. Career thoughts though effect the relation between career exploration and career decision making in some aspects.