How to release stress from future uncertainty: A sequential mediation study based on self-determination theory

Since the global COVID-19 pandemic, future uncertainty has been an increasing threat to mental health, particularly among graduates. While previous studies have consistently focused on this, how to alleviate stress from future uncertainty among potential graduates remains unclear from a self-determined perspective. Our predictive correlational study explored the mediating role of agentic engagement and academic self-efficacy in the relationship between perceived autonomy support and stress from future uncertainty with a sample of 528 potential university graduates. Through use of a self-report survey, the findings revealed that perceived autonomy support significantly and negatively predicted stress, agentic engagement alone did not mediate this relationship, and agentic engagement and academic self-efficacy together mediated this link. These results demonstrate the mechanism between perceived autonomy support and stress from future uncertainty, providing implications for relieving students’ stress resulting from future uncertainty.