Exploring the relationship between career exploration behaviors and social cognitive factors among middle school students

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the correlations among self-efficacy, outcome expectations, goal commitment, parental support, and career exploration behaviors among middle school students. To this end, the study sampled 452 middle school students from a medium-sized city in the Black Sea region of Türkiye. Data analysis was conducted using Pearson’s correlation, regression analysis, t-tests, and one-way ANOVA. The results indicated significant negative correlations among career decision-making self-efficacy, career outcome expectations, goal commitment, parental support, and career exploration. In other words, it was determined that, as middle school students’ confidence levels regarding career decisions, positive outcome expectations, commitment to career goals, and perceptions of parental support increased, their career exploration behaviors decreased significantly. Additionally, all variables except outcome expectations significantly predicted career exploration.