The serial mediating role of contextual variables and cognitive elements on career indecision in Turkish undergraduate students: a multi-group analysis based on gender

Career indecision involves difficulties in making career decisions that may harm well-being and future career paths, making it important to identify its contributing factors during the university years. This study examined whether career decision self-efficacy and vocational outcome expectations serially mediate the relationships between perceived social support, career barriers, and career indecision among Turkish undergraduates, and whether the model differs by gender. The sample included 785 undergraduates. Multigroup structural equation modeling was conducted to test the mediation model and gender differences. Career barriers were indirectly related to career indecision through the serial mediation of career decision self-efficacy and vocational outcome expectations. The serial mediation between perceived social support and career indecision through these cognitive variables was not significant in the full sample but was significant for females. No significant gender differences were found in the overall model. The study offers new evidence on career decision-making, and practical implications for interventions to prevent and reduce career indecision among Turkish undergraduates.