Effects of Self-Efficacy and Mindset on Career Identity Among College Students Majoring in Physical Education

This study aimed to empirically examine the roles of self-efficacy and mindset as antecedent factors influencing career identity among college students majoring in physical education.These students often make early career-related decisions during adolescence and face the unique developmental challenge of transitioning from a student identity to a professional identity in adulthood.A survey was conducted with 220 college students majoring in physical education.Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling with SmartPLS 4.0 to verify relationships among variables.The results revealed several key findings.First, self-efficacy had a statistically significant positive effect on career identity (=4.171,t=3.512, p<0.01).Second, self-efficacy showed a positive effect on growth mindset (=0.727,t=10.399,p<0.01) and a negative effect on fixed mindset (=-0.653,t=-7.457,p<0.01).Third, growth mindset did not have a statistically significant direct effect on career identity (=1.414,t=1.263, p>0.05).Fourth, fixed mindset had a significant negative effect on career identity (=-2.672,t=-2.988,p<0.01).The importance of self-efficacy in career identity formation among physical education students was reconfirmed.The negative impact of fixed mindset suggests that rigid thinking patterns rooted in athlete identity can hinder career identity development.Therefore, developing self-efficacy enhancement programs and career counseling focused on alleviating fixed mindset is necessary for supporting successful career transitions in physical education students.