Influence of locus of control, perceived career barriers, negative affect, and hopelessness on career decision-making self-efficacy among Turkish university students

Abstract

The variables affecting final-year undergraduate students’ career decision-making self-efficacy were explored in a group of 729 students across various departments of an urban university. A structural equation model was used to determine the variables that predicted students' self-efficacy in decision making, with results indicating that perceived career barriers exerted a significant and direct effect. The relationship between career barriers and career decision-making self-efficacy was significantly and partially mediated by hopelessness. The relationship between locus of control and career decision-making self-efficacy was significantly and fully mediated by hopelessness.