Exploring the Mediating Role of Career Adaptability in the Link Between Career Self-Efficacy and Career Decision-Making Among Chinese College Students

Background and Aim: Career decision-making is a critical challenge for university students transitioning from school to work. While career decision-making self-efficacy (CDSE) is recognized as important for career decisions, the underlying mechanisms linking CDSE to career decision-making strength (CDMS) remain unclear. Therefore, grounded in Career Construction Theory, this study aims to investigate the mediating role of career adaptability (CA) in the relationship between CDSE and CDMS among Chinese undergraduate students, seeking to understand how self-belief translates into decisive career action. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was employed to collect data from 236 Chinese undergraduate students. Subsequently, validated scales were used to measure career decision-making self-efficacy, career adaptability, and career decision-making strength. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was then applied to examine the proposed mediation relationships. Finally, bootstrapping analysis was conducted to test the significance of indirect effects and confirm the mediation mechanism. Results: The analysis revealed that CDSE significantly predicted CA, and CA in turn significantly predicted CDMS. More importantly, when CA was included in the model, the direct effect of CDSE on CDMS became non-significant. Furthermore, bootstrapping analysis confirmed a full mediation effect, indicating that career adaptability completely transmits the influence of career decision-making self-efficacy on students' career decision-making strength. Conclusion: Career adaptability serves as a pivotal psychological resource that fully mediates the relationship between self-efficacy beliefs and career decision-making strength. These findings suggest that interventions should focus on building adaptability skills through comprehensive career guidance programs.