Search Results (45)

Initial teacher education plays a decisive role in preparing future educators to establish meaningful and reciprocal relationships with families that support children’s learning across contexts. Moving beyond traditional, school-centred notions of family involvement, this study adopts a family engagement (FE) perspective to examine preservice early childhood teachers’ perceptions of their preparation, the difficulties they anticipate, and their self-efficacy in working with families. A total of 181 Portuguese preservice early childhood teachers completed a questionnaire comprising three scales: Training Evaluation, Anticipated Difficulties, and Self-efficacy. The Training Evaluation Scale revealed two dimensions (theoretical and practical), which were used in a Latent Profile Analysis that identified three groups (Positive, Neutral, and Low-rating). Participants within each profile showed consistent evaluations across both dimensions. Significant differences emerged between profiles in perceived difficulties, with self-efficacy lowest in the low-rating group. Overall, the findings highlight that variations in perceived training quality are closely associated with preservice teachers’ confidence and their expectations regarding the challenges of engaging families. These results underscore the importance of more systematic, integrated and practice-oriented approaches within initial teacher education to support a shift towards family engagement practices that recognise families as active partners in children’s learning from the outset of teachers’ professional careers. Full article

Purposes: Teacher turnover has especially negative effects on schools and students when experienced and capable teachers leave. This loss is significant when those teachers also serve as mentors to their less experienced colleagues. This study aimed to advance understanding about how school leaders can positively influence the retention of their school’s teacher mentors. Methodology: The framework for the study reflects a longstanding line of research on successful leadership. Using a cross-sectional research design, evidence was provided by responses to the mentor survey component of a larger four-year study examining the effects on retention decisions of a national induction programme for early-career teachers and their mentors in England. Structural equation modelling was employed to test the direct and indirect effects of school leadership and selected school conditions on mentors’ self-efficacy, well-being and job satisfaction, and ultimately retention decisions. Findings: Developing and retaining teacher mentors was associated with a suite of leadership practices which encourage collaborative cultures, provide coherent high-quality learning opportunities, and ensure what they perceive to be manageable workloads. These organizational conditions nurture the job satisfaction and self-efficacy of experienced teachers enhancing their sense of well-being at work. Implications: Results suggest four sets of guidelines for senior school leaders. Full article

The formation of entrepreneurial intentions and their translation into behaviors still remains unclear. This study contributes to the field by examining socio-cognitive concepts and dysfunctional career beliefs that have not been employed in previous studies. Emotional states are one primary source of self-efficacy, an important driver of career decisions. In turn, emotional states interact with dysfunctional beliefs when making entrepreneurial career decisions. Using a sample of 323 participants, the analysis revealed two key findings. First, positive emotions significantly predict both entrepreneurial intentions and subsequent behaviors. Second, “criticality of the decision”, a dysfunctional career belief, was found to be a key moderator that (a) mitigates the negative effects of adverse emotions on entrepreneurial intentions and (b) weakens the relationship between intentions and actual entrepreneurial actions. These findings are novel and deepen our understanding of the emotional and cognitive processes underlying entrepreneurial career choices. They also provide theoretical insights on the connection between entrepreneurship and career theory and have practical implications for educators and career counselors who aim to support the next generation of aspiring entrepreneurs systematically and coherently. Full article

This study explores how intersecting disabilities and ethnic identities influence key career-related factors, including career decision self-efficacy, career outcome expectations, perceived career barriers, and social support, among college students with disabilities from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Background/Objectives: Applying social cognitive career theory (SCCT) and intersectionality frameworks, this research addresses a critical gap in understanding the unique challenges and strengths experienced by underrepresented students with disabilities in postsecondary education. Method: Quantitative data were collected from approximately 306 participants representing various ethnic groups, including African American, Asian American, Hispanic, and other ethnic backgrounds, alongside European American peers. Results: Findings revealed that underrepresented students with disabilities reported significantly stronger ethnic identity affirmation but also perceived greater career-related barriers compared to their European American counterparts. These results demonstrate the need for culturally responsive career development practices and inclusive campus environments that affirm students’ multiple identities. Conclusions: Implications are discussed for higher education professionals, rehabilitation counselors, disability service providers, and career counselors seeking to promote equitable career outcomes and identity-conscious support systems. Full article

Although a wealth of research has examined the predictors influencing the discrepancies between individual-set and parent-set career goals (DBIPCG), investigations grounded in collectivist cultural perspectives remain relatively scarce. Within collectivist societies, filial piety holds profound cultural significance. Drawing on a dual filial piety framework encompassing reciprocal filial piety (RFP) and authoritative filial piety (AFP), this study aims to explore the interconnections among parental support, self-efficacy in career decision-making, dual filial piety orientations, and DBIPCG. The results indicated that parental support was negatively associated with DBIPCG. By contrast, self-efficacy in career decision-making did not predict DBIPCG directly. Instead, self-efficacy indirectly influenced DBIPCG, an effect mediated specifically by AFP rather than RFP, Furthermore, AFP was found to mediate the link between parental support and DBIPCG. These findings underscore the role of parental support in minimizing differences in career goal formation between generations and highlight the potentially adverse implications of AFP in exacerbating such discrepancies. Full article

This study explored the mediating role of general self-efficacy between dispositional optimism, a construct within the domains of positive emotions and entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Using a sample of 484 Greek business administration students from public universities, it was found that dispositional optimism influenced entrepreneurial self-efficacy via general self-efficacy. The findings are discussed with reference to social cognitive career theory (SCCT) conceptual framework to entrepreneurial intentions. The study contributes to and expands on the specific literature on this topic by introducing dispositional optimism as a person input variable in the first component of the conceptual framework. Implications for research and students’ career counseling, entrepreneurial education programs, and social policy are also discussed. Full article

The present study aimed to develop and validate a brief, two-factor scale assessing career decision-making in high school students. The scale captures the following two key dimensions: (1) access to resources and exploration of career options and (2) career choice self-efficacy. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on data from a sample of 778 Romanian high school students. The results supported a two-factor structure with good internal consistency and construct validity. Measurement invariance across gender revealed configural invariance, although metric and scalar invariance were not confirmed, suggesting potential differences in how male and female students interpret career decision constructs. No significant gender differences emerged in mean scores, yet students in technological educational tracks reported significantly greater access to career-related resources than their peers in theoretical and vocational profiles. These findings underscore the scale’s sensitivity to educational context and its potential utility in comparative studies and needs assessments. Future research should examine the scale’s predictive validity, longitudinal stability, and cross-cultural applicability. This tool offers a practical means to assess career decision-making processes and inform targeted interventions in educational and counselling settings. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between proactive personality and career-related decision-making self-efficacy, with generative artificial intelligence acceptance serving as a mediating factor. Additionally, the study examined the moderating effect of innovation competencies on this mediation pathway, utilizing a moderated mediation framework. The study included 501 university students from Guangdong Province, China, who completed validated measures of proactive personality, career-related decision-making self-efficacy, generative artificial intelligence acceptance, and innovation competencies. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS (Version 26) and the PROCESS macro to evaluate mediation, moderation, and moderated mediation effects. Moreover, confirmatory factor analysis was performed using Amos (Version 28.0) to assess the validity of the measurement models. The results indicate that proactive personality exerts an indirect effect on career-related decision-making self-efficacy via generative artificial intelligence acceptance. The strength of this indirect effect was moderated by innovation competencies, indicating that the relationship is stronger at higher levels of innovation competencies. These findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between proactive personality and career-related decision-making self-efficacy, particularly within the context of technological adaptability. Full article

This study aims to explore the importance of basic psychological needs satisfaction (BPNS) and mindfulness of university students in their career adaptability (CA), career self-efficacy (CSE), and future career choice (CC). The sample consisted of 1026 undergraduate students, of which 495 (48.2%) were female and 531 (51.8%) male, from three public universities in the Amhara Region, Ethiopia. The assessments, such as the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form, the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire Short Form, the Career Adapt-Ability Short Form Five Scale, the Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction Scale, and the Career Choice scale instruments were used. Findings from a parallel mediation model showed that both CA and CSE had a direct positive effect on the BPNS of university students. Additionally, this study found that both BPNS and mindfulness had a substantial and positive direct effect on the students’ CC. Importantly, we found that both CA and CSE significantly and indirectly predicted the future CC through BPNS and mindfulness. In addition, BPNS and mindfulness also partially mediate the relationship between CA, CSE, and the students’ future CC. Importantly, we found that mindfulness and BPNS fully and partially mediated the relationship between CA, CSE, and CC. These results support the notion that both psychological constructs (BPNS and mindfulness) play a crucial role in explaining the relationship between CA, CSE, and CC. By enhancing students’ BPNS and mindfulness, institutions can empower students to make informed decisions about their future career paths, ultimately nurturing their personal and professional growth. Full article

Background: Career-related social support (CRSS) significantly influences job search behavior (JSB). However, the mechanisms and boundary conditions through which CRSS impacts JSB, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, remain unclear. This study examines the mechanisms and boundary conditions through which CRSS influences the JSB among final-year college students during the COVID-19 pandemic, guided by social cognitive career theory (SCCT). Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in 2021 among 596 final-year college students from two public universities in China, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey collected data on CRSS, CDMS, employment pressure, and JSB. Results: The findings revealed that career decision-making self-efficacy (CDMS) partially mediates the relationship between CRSS and JSB. Moreover, employment pressure moderates both the direct and mediated pathways; when employment pressure is low, CRSS does not significantly enhance JSB, whereas under a high employment pressure, JSB significantly increases, with higher CRSS. In the mediated pathway, higher CDMS strongly predicts JSB under low employment pressure, but its influence diminishes as the employment pressure rises. Conclusions: These findings underscore the critical roles of CDMS and employment pressure in shaping JSB, offering valuable insights for career support initiatives to facilitate the transition of graduates into the workforce during challenging periods. Full article

Vocational indecision refers to the difficulty students face when making decisions about their future careers. It can increase academic stress due to the pressure adolescents feel when having to make important decisions. Resilience is a crucial skill for coping with and adapting to these challenges and stressful situations. This study aims to analyse the relationship between different dimensions of academic stress and vocational indecision, including the influence of resilience factors. This study included 345 students in their final year of compulsory secondary education who completed a Resilience Scale, an Academic Stress Inventory, and a Vocational Indecision questionnaire. The findings indicate that the vocational indecision variables most related to academic stress are information-seeking and psycho-emotionality. The stress symptoms dimension (concentration problems and anxiety) best explains vocational indecision. Persistence, tenacity, and self-efficacy are resilience variables that significantly explain both academic stress and vocational indecision. The reciprocal relationship between vocational indecision and academic stress highlights how uncertainty about the future can increase pressure in school. Resilience helps adolescents face these challenges by developing coping strategies and maintaining a positive attitude. An integrated program is proposed for secondary education to improve vocational decision-making, reduce academic stress, and foster resilience in students. Full article

Background: While previous studies have shown that occupational choices are influenced by traditional gender perceptions, little is known about gender’s role in choosing self-employment among family physicians. Family medicine, with its emphasis on holistic and integrative attitudes that align with independent practice characteristics, presents a unique context for examining gender-related decisions in choosing self-employment. Objectives: To examine the role of gender in family physicians’ transition to self-employed practice, focusing on gender differences in motivations and considerations for this career choice, and to analyze how traditional gender roles manifest in professional decision-making among highly educated medical professionals. Methods: A qualitative study based on in-depth interviews was conducted with 27 self-employed family physicians in Israel who recently chose to start independent practice rather than remaining salaried physicians in Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs). Interviews were analyzed using thematic content analysis with a gender-sensitive approach. Results: Despite their advanced education and professional status, female family physicians tended to maintain traditional gender patterns in their professional choices. Women emphasized work–family flexibility as a primary consideration and expressed less confidence in financial management self-efficacy, often delegating these responsibilities to their spouses. In contrast, male family physicians displayed traditionally “feminine” characteristics in their professional approach, including emphasis on holistic care and family involvement. Male physicians also cited work–life balance and the opportunity for a more comprehensive, biopsychosocial approach to patient care as key factors in choosing family medicine and self-employment. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate the complexity of gender roles in family physicians’ professional choices, revealing both persistence of traditional gender roles among women and different patterns among men. While male physicians displayed characteristics traditionally identified as feminine, these patterns may reflect both gender role evolution and generational shifts towards work–family integration and collaborative patient care. This study highlights how gender and generational factors shape career decisions in primary care, with implications for medical education and healthcare organization policies. Full article

We applied social cognitive career theory and systems theory to explore the barriers that historically excluded groups face when pursuing animal care careers at U.S. zoos and aquariums. Using a mixed-methods approach, this research combines survey data (N = 592) and interviews (N = 15) from zoo and aquarium animal care staff, including zookeepers, veterinarians, and aquarists. The findings show that historically excluded groups of animal caretakers report higher levels of perceived barriers to securing zoo positions compared to White animal caretakers, particularly in career awareness, self-efficacy, mentorship, and access to internship opportunities. Statistical analyses of animal caretakers revealed a statistically significant difference between historically excluded groups and their White colleagues. Historically excluded groups experience more challenges in securing and succeeding in animal care careers. While institutional barriers did not differ significantly between groups, this study underscores the need for zoos to address systemic inequities and create more inclusive environments. These findings are critical for zoos aiming to diversify their staff and enrich their decision-making processes. Full article

Enhancing the career adaptability of university students is a practical necessity for addressing the challenge of student employment. This study explores the relationship between basic psychological needs satisfaction and career adaptability among university students based on Basic Psychological Need Theory and Social Cognitive Career Theory and constructs a corresponding chain mediation model. A survey was conducted among 635 university students from six provinces across China. The results indicate the following findings: (1) grit partially mediates the relationship between basic psychological needs satisfaction and career adaptability among university students; (2) career decision-making self-efficacy also partially mediates this relationship; and (3) grit and career decision-making self-efficacy serve as chain mediators in the relationship between basic psychological needs satisfaction and career adaptability. This study provides empirical support and significant guidance for enhancing the career adaptability development of university students. Full article