A longitudinal study of parental attachment and career self-efficacy in college students

Guided by social cognitive career theory, attachment theory, and the relational theory of working, this two-wave longitudinal study examined the reciprocal relationships between Chinese college students' career search self-efficacy (CSSE) and three dimensions of attachment relationships (i.e., trust, communication, and alienation) with parents. The study utilized a sample of 867 college students engaging in career exploration at two time points, seven months apart. The results demonstrated that, at both time points, CSSE was positively associated with trust and communication while being negatively associated with alienation. In addition, the cross-lagged longitudinal results showed that CSSE at Time 1 predicted a decrease in alienation with mothers and fathers at Time 2. The study made a significant contribution to the current literature by employing a two-wave longitudinal design and emphasizing the predictive role of CSSE in attachment relationships with their parents. The findings underscore the potential for intervention aimed at boosting college students' CSSE to enhance family dynamics. • The study investigated the longitudinal association between career search self-efficacy and parental attachment. • Improvements in CSSE significantly predict a reduction in their alienated attachment relationships with mothers and fathers. • The findings highlight the potential for interventions that enhance CSSE to positively influence broader family dynamics.