The influence of self-determination and emotional intelligence on career decision-making among final-year University students in Malang

Abstract

Final-year students often face difficulties in making career decisions due to low levels of self-determination and emotional intelligence. Previous studies have mostly examined these two variables separately, with limited research investigating their simultaneous influence among Indonesian students. This study aims to examine the effect of self-determination and emotional intelligence on career decision-making among final-year university students in Malang. The research employed a quantitative correlational design with multiple regression analysis. The participants consisted of 284 final-year students selected through accidental sampling. The instruments used were the Basic Psychological Need Theory (BPNT), the Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT), and the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale (CDMSE). Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 30. The results showed that self-determination had a significant positive effect, while emotional intelligence had a significant negative effect on career decision-making, with R 3 = 0.27. These findings confirm that self-determination plays a more dominant role in helping students make rational career decisions, whereas emotional intelligence contributes more to managing the emotional consequences after decisions are made. Theoretically, this study enriches the literature on psychological factors in career decision-making, and practically, it can serve as a reference for counselors and educators in designing self-development programs to enhance career readiness among final-year students.