The relationship between locus of control and hope in adolescents: The mediating role of career and talent development self-efficacy

Abstract

Adolescence is a period that plays a crucial role in career development. Understanding the psychological structures associated with a career can help to better understand adolescents’ career development. The aim of this study was to examine the mediating role of career and talent development self-efficacy in the relationship between adolescents’ locus of control and the construct of children’s hope. The study group was composed of 354 adolescents including 170 females and 184 males. The mean age of participants was 14.3 years. Structural equation modelling was used to investigate the mediating role of career and talent development self-efficacy in the relationship between locus of control and children's hope. It was concluded that career and talent development self-efficacy had a mediating role in the relationship between locus of control and children’s hope. Mental health professionals and educators who carry out locus of control or hope-based interventions are recommended to pay attention to the mediating role of self-efficacy.