The mediating roles of career self-efficacy ...

and career decidedness in the relationship between contextual support and persistence

an article by Simon Lloyd D Restubog and Patrick Raymund James M Garcia (The Australian national University) and Afryll R Florentino (The University of New South Wales) published in Journal of Vocational Behavior Volume 77 Issue 2 (October 2010)

Abstract
Drawing from Social cognitive career theory, we examined how types of contextual support (e.g., parental support and number of career counselling sessions received) influence persistence. In addition, we test the roles of career self-efficacy and career decidedness as mediating mechanisms in the relationship between these types of contextual support and persistence. One hundred forty-six undergraduate students were surveyed over three measurement periods. Data were collected from multiple sources: surveys from students and parents and students’ archival data. Results provided support for our hypothesised mediated model. Time 1 student and parent ratings of support and Time 1 number of counselling sessions received were related to greater Time 2 career self-efficacy and Time 2 career decidedness. This in turn was associated with Time 3 persistence (i.e., reduced academic programme turnover). Theoretical and applied implications are discussed.

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