Extending Social Cognitive Career Theory: A Quantitative Analysis of Self-Efficacy, Career Aspirations, and Decision-Making Among Young Adults

Abstract

Factors like labor market shifting, advancements in technology, and drastic evolvement in socio-economic landscapes drive young peers in making career-making decisions. The crucial key, according to Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), is self-efficacy. Current studies showcase the gap in understanding the significance of GSE and how it has been played in motivational and contextual standpoints. Thereby, this study shows an extended version of SCCT through a comprehensive model which examines constructs like General Self-efficacy (GSE), Outcome Expectations (OE), Career Exploration Behaviors (CEB), and Perceived Social Support (PSS) on young adults' Career Aspirations (CA) and Career Decision Self-Efficacy (CDSE). As part of the justification, a survey of 18–30-year-old individuals has been conducted from various educational and socio-economic backgrounds, which helps in analyzing the psychology and contextual factors. For this categorized into direct, mediated, and moderated constructs, which are being evaluated using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) with a value over 0.6 and having the threshold range of 0.6-0.88 & Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with an evaluative measurement of mean value range above 0.5, skewness value range above -0.3, Standard deviations over 0.6, and finally kurtosis with the range above 0.2. Evaluation results show that CA and OE act as a medium for GSE and CDSE, along with increasing CEB and PSS, which boosts confidence in decision-making. By combining behavioral, contextual, and motivational elements, this study expands SCCT and provides information for career counseling and policies aimed at enhancing young adults' professional preparedness.