In the evolving landscape of adolescent psychology, a groundbreaking study by G. Şeker, published in BMC Psychology, sheds new light on the intricate relationship between career locus of control, career decision-making self-efficacy, and career indecision among Turkish high school students. This research addresses the pressing issue of indecisiveness in career choices—a challenge that is profoundly influential on the future professional trajectories of young individuals. By integrating sophisticated psychological constructs and empirical analysis, the study navigates the nuanced pathways through which students’ beliefs about control and efficacy shape their decision-making processes in the early stages of career development.
Career locus of control (CLC) refers to the degree to which individuals believe that they have control over the outcomes of their career-related decisions. Rooted in Rotter’s social learning theory, this construct distinguishes those who perceive their careers as a result of their own actions (internal locus) from those who attribute career outcomes to external forces beyond their influence, such as luck or other people. Understanding an adolescent’s CLC is critical because it parallels motivational dynamics and behavioral intentions that influence how actively and effectively one approaches career decisions.
Career decision-making self-efficacy (CDMSE) is another pivotal concept in the study, capturing the confidence individuals have in their ability to successfully complete career decision-making tasks. This self-efficacy directly impacts the practical execution of career planning and exploration activities, ranging from self-assessment and information gathering to goal setting and decision commitment. The self-regulated nature of these tasks demands a strong sense of personal efficacy for adolescents to navigate the often complex and anxiety-provoking world of career choices with resilience and adaptability.
Şeker’s research uniquely hypothesizes and confirms that CDMSE serves as a mediating mechanism in the linkage between career locus of control and career indecision. Career indecision—defined as difficulty or delay in making a clear career choice—is a common developmental challenge, especially among high school students who face increasing pressure to commit to educational and vocational paths. This mediation model illuminates how internal beliefs translate into decision-making behavior, framing CDMSE as a psychological buffer that transforms locus of control into actionable, confident career choices.
The methodology of the study is robust, involving a large sample of Turkish high school students to ensure cultural relevance and generalizability. Standardized measures of career locus of control, career decision-making self-efficacy, and career indecision were employed, providing a comprehensive psychometric profile of participants. The use of advanced statistical techniques, including mediation analysis and structural equation modeling, allowed the researcher to dissect complex relationships and quantify indirect effects with precision, ensuring that the findings hold substantial empirical weight.
One salient implication of this research is its potential to inform targeted interventions in career counseling practices. By recognizing that enhancing self-efficacy could mitigate the negative effects of an external career locus of control on indecision, educators and psychologists can develop tailored programs that empower adolescents. Such programs might include skills training, firsthand exposure to career scenarios, and cognitive-behavioral strategies aimed at reinforcing the internalization of career agency and efficacy beliefs.
The cultural context of Turkey adds an additional layer of significance to the findings. In collectivist societies, external factors such as family expectations and socio-economic barriers often heavily influence career decisions. Şeker’s study underscores the universality yet cultural specificity in how locus of control and self-efficacy interact, suggesting that culturally adapted psychological interventions are critical. This aligns with the broader aim of educational systems worldwide to foster autonomy while respecting cultural values that shape career decision-making norms and pressures.
Moreover, the research extends beyond mere academic interest to practical societal relevance. Career indecision in adolescence can lead to suboptimal educational choices, reduced occupational achievement, and lower life satisfaction in adulthood. In a global economy that demands adaptability and lifelong learning, fostering early decision-making confidence is crucial. The insights from Şeker’s study emphasize that bolstering self-efficacy is not just a psychological luxury but a necessity for ensuring that adolescents can navigate their futures with clarity and purpose.
Further theoretical contributions of the paper involve the integration of social cognitive career theory (SCCT) constructs with locus of control paradigms, providing a cohesive explanatory framework. This hybrid perspective advances the psychology of career development by acknowledging multifaceted influences including cognitive appraisals, perceived control, and motivational self-beliefs. It marks a conceptual refinement with implications for future research seeking to unravel the psychological architecture underlying vocational behavior.
The findings also spur questions about longitudinal trajectories. While the study offers a snapshot of the mediating effects at a critical developmental juncture, it opens avenues for prospective investigations into how career decision-making efficacy evolves over time and how it might predict actual career outcomes. Understanding the durability and temporal dynamics of these psychological constructs could potentially revolutionize career education and counseling strategies, making them more proactive and personalized.
In the age of digital transformation and rapidly changing workplaces, the constructs revealed by Şeker’s investigation are increasingly relevant. Adolescents today face multifaceted career landscapes, with emerging sectors, gig economies, and globalized competition. Psychological resilience, expressed through strong self-efficacy beliefs and an internalized locus of control, becomes a cornerstone of successful career adaptation. Thus, this study not only addresses current educational psychology challenges but also forecasts the competencies essential for future workforce entrants in a volatile environment.
From a policy perspective, the study advocates for systemic embedding of career self-efficacy enhancement within national education frameworks. This could be operationalized through curriculum reforms, teacher training, and inclusive career counseling services that prioritize psychological empowerment alongside traditional knowledge transmission. By placing psychological factors at the heart of career development policies, education systems would better prepare students to meet their vocational aspirations realistically and confidently.
As the research community digests these findings, it may prompt cross-cultural comparative studies to discern global patterns and unique cultural textures influencing career decision-making. Şeker’s contribution sets a benchmark in psychological research by thoroughly demystifying the cognitive-motivational mechanisms behind career indecision, thus providing a replicable model for future studies in diverse socio-cultural settings.
Consequently, this study’s influence could extend into practical domains beyond psychology and education, including human resources development, youth employment programs, and mental health services. Recognizing the psychological underpinnings linked to career uncertainties allows multi-disciplinary stakeholders to design interventions that address root causes rather than symptoms, thereby promoting holistic youth development and economic participation.
In sum, G. Şeker’s work represents a vital step forward in understanding how Turkish high school students make career decisions, with career decision-making self-efficacy playing a crucial mediating role between locus of control and indecision. This research is poised to have far-reaching impacts by informing theoretical models, guiding educational practice, and shaping public policy aimed at empowering youth in their vocational journeys. As societies worldwide seek to cultivate capable, confident, and adaptable future professionals, such empirically grounded insights provide a beacon of scientific clarity and practical hope.
Subject of Research: The mediating role of career decision-making self-efficacy in the relationship between career locus of control and career indecision among Turkish high school students.
Article Title: The mediating role of career decision-making self-efficacy in the relationship between career locus of control and career indecision among Turkish high school students.
Article References:
Şeker, G. The mediating role of career decision-making self-efficacy in the relationship between career locus of control and career indecision among Turkish high school students. BMC Psychol 13, 1031 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03410-8
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