The Influence of Self-esteem on Self-directedness among Undelared Freshmen: Focusing on the Mediating Effect of Grit

Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of grit on the relationship between self-esteem and self-directedness among freshmen who entered university without a declared major. Methods To achieve the research objectives, the researcher collected data from 75 freshmen who enrolled at K University in April 2024 without a declared major. The data were obtained through a survey, and the analysis was conducted using SPSS 25.0 and the PROCESS Macro. Descriptive statistics, difference analysis, and hierarchical regression analysis were employed to test the hypotheses. Results The results of this study are as follows: First, a significant positive correlation was observed between self-esteem, grit, and self-directedness among freshmen who entered university without a declared major. Second, the study found that grit fully mediated the relationship between self-esteem and self-directedness. Conclusions The findings of this study provide important insights into the relationships between self-esteem, grit, and self-directedness, which are critical factors for the adaptation to university life and career exploration among freshmen without a declared major. The results of this study offer valuable implications for developing strategies to enhance self-directedness. Furthermore, based on the study's conclusions, recommendations for future research are provided.