The Relationship Between Stereotype Threat and Career Development Confidence Among Vocational Education Students in China: A Social Psychological Theory Perspective

Vocational education constitutes a vital component of China's educational system, playing a significant supporting role in national development. However, societal perceptions shaped by traditional cultural ideologies and the phenomenon of “involution” have led to vocational education being perceived as far less attractive than academic education. Nevertheless, the impact of stereotype threat on vocational education students’ development remains largely theoretical, lacking empirical validation. This study collected 849 valid responses from vocational education students across five Chinese provinces via an online survey, employing structural equation modeling to test hypotheses. Findings reveal: 1. Stereotype threat positively correlates with parental expectation conflict and career decision difficulties, but negatively correlates with career identity; 2. Parental expectation conflict positively correlates with career decision difficulties but negatively correlates with career identity; 3. Career decision difficulties negatively correlate with both career identity and career development confidence; 4. Career identity positively correlates with career development confidence; 5. Stereotype threat, parental expectation conflict, and career decision difficulties all indirectly negatively correlate with career development confidence. Overall, stereotype threat emerges as a significant antecedent variable that constrains the development of vocational education. Mitigating this threat is imperative to ensure vocational education students gain better and more equitable development opportunities.