Impact of physical exercise habit on career decision-making behavior in college students: a chain mediating effect of self-efficacy and psychological resilience

Objective To explore the mechanism through which physical exercise habits influence college students' career decision-making behavior, and to verify the independent and chain mediation effects of self-efficacy and psychological resilience within this relationship. Methods Using stratified random sampling, questionnaires were distributed to universities students across China, and valid questionnaires were collected. The Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3), General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10), and Career Decision-Making Difficulty Scale (CDMP) were employed. Structural equation modeling and the Bootstrap method were used to test the chain mediation effect. Results Physical exercise habits significantly and positively influenced career decision-making ability. Both self-efficacy and psychological resilience served as independent mediators. The chain mediation path from self-efficacy to psychological resilience was significant. The mediation effects accounted for 39.6% of the total effect. Conclusion Physical exercise significantly and positively influences career decision-making behavior by enhancing self-efficacy and psychological resilience, with self-efficacy and psychological resilience forming a chain transmission mechanism.