The role of career decision self-efficacy as a mediator of peer support on students’ career adaptability

This study aims to determine the role of career decision self-efficacy (CDSE) as a mediator of the relationship between peer support and career adaptability among college students. Furthermore, students are in a realistic period of career development, but in reality, the level of adaptability is still low because the knowledge and career guidance in Indonesia only start at the college level, or at least high school. This condition makes recent graduates experience confusion in determining careers, thereby affecting their ability to adapt. One of the most influential external factors of career adaptability is peer support, where students spend more time with friends and provide information, career suggestions, emotional support, and being role models to each other. CDSE was selected as a moderator because career adaptability can be enhanced through self-efficacy sources. The participants used were final-year college students in Indonesia (N = 538). Data was then collected using convenience sampling techniques. The instruments used in this study include Career Adapt-Abilities Scale, Career-Related Peer Support, and Career Decision Self-Efficacy-Short Form. The results showed that CDSE fully mediated peer support on adaptability (c = 0.247; p < .001). Furthermore, peer support as an external factor is inadequate to enhance career adaptability. This indicates that internal factors are needed to help students adapt to changes in the working world and career choices. Students who only obtain social support from campus friends regarding career cannot adapt when they lack the confidence to make decisions with the information and knowledge provided.