Parental Career Supports and Career Preparation Behaviors in College Students : The Mediating Effects of Career Barrier and Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy

The present study aimed to investigate the key factors influencing college students' Career Preparation Behavior through the lens of Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) proposed by Lent et al. (1994). Specifically, it examined the mediating roles of Career Barriers and Career Decision-making Self-Efficacy in the relationship between Parental Career Support and Career Preparation Behavior. The participants included 120 undergraduate students enrolled in four-year universities across South Korea. Data were analyzed using SPSS PROCESS MACRO Model 6. The main findings are as follows: First, Parental Career Support had a statistically significant direct effect on Career Preparation Behavior, which was greater than the indirect effects through Career Barriers and Career Decision-making Self-Efficacy. Second, the mediating effects of Career Barriers between Parental Career Support and Career Preparation Behavior were not significant. Third, Career Decision-making Self-Efficacy significantly mediated the relationship between Parental Career Support and Career Preparation Behavior. Finally, the sequential double mediation effects of Career Barriers and Career Decision-making Self-Efficacy were not statistically significant. This study underscores the critical contextual and psychological variables that influence college students' Career Preparation Behavior, providing valuable insights for effective career counseling interventions and psychological education.