Self-esteem as a predictor of career decision-making competence in middle school students: The mediating role of parental career-related support

The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating role of parental career-related support in the relationship between self-esteem and career decision-making competence among middle school students. The research was designed using a correlational research model. The study group consisted of 400 middle school students enrolled in the 7th and 8th grades. The sample was selected using a convenience sampling method. The data of the study were collected using the Career Decision-Making Competence Scale, the Parental Career-Related Support Scale, and the Self-Esteem Scale. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted using AMOS 24 and SPSS 26 for data analysis. The goodness-of-fit indices of the proposed structural equation model were found to be at an acceptable level. The significance of the indirect effect was evaluated using the bootstrapping analysis method. The findings revealed that self-esteem significantly predicted both career decision-making competence and parental career-related support, and that parental career-related support also significantly predicted career decision-making competence. Parental career-related support was found to play a partial mediating role in the relationship between self-esteem and career decision-making competence. In addition, 34% of the variance in the career decision-making competence model was explained. These results were discussed within the framework of the relevant literature, and recommendations were made for implementing activities in schools aimed at enhancing career competence.