The role of future time perspective in career decision-making

Terrance L. Walker and Terence J.G. Tracey (Arizona State University, USA) published in Journal of Vocational Behavior Volume 81 Issue 2 (October 2012

Abstract

The present study of two hundred and seven university students examined the structural relation of future-orientation (both valence and instrumentality), career decision-making self-efficacy and career indecision (choice/commitment anxiety and lack of readiness) in a sample of 218 college students.

Future time perspective was viewed as a key input to career decision-making. Structural equation modelling results indicated that valence was not significantly related to career decision-making self-efficacy, choice/commitment anxiety and lack of readiness.

However, instrumentality completely mediated the relation between valence and career decision-making self-efficacy, choice/commitment anxiety and lack of readiness.

Instrumentality was significantly related to career decision-making self-efficacy and lack of readiness. Career decision-making self-efficacy completely mediated the relation between instrumentality and choice/commitment anxiety; however, it only partially mediated the relation between instrumentality and lack of readiness.

Although the proposed model was invariant across gender, the findings indicated that women reported higher instrumentality and lower lack of readiness than did men. No differences were found for career decision-making self-efficacy and choice/commitment anxiety across gender. The findings suggest that psychologists, counsellors, and teachers should consider the role of future time perspective in university students’ career development.

Highlights

► We examined the structural relation of future-orientation and career decision-making among university students.
► Valence was related to career decision-making self-efficacy, choice/commitment anxiety and lack of readiness.
► Instrumentality is directly related to career decision-making and lack of readiness.
► Career decision-making mediated the relations between instrumentality and choice/commitment anxiety and lack of readiness.
► The model was invariant across gender, but women reported higher instrumentality and lower lack of readiness than men.

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