Career doubt and career decision-making difficulties among Chinese college students: A moderated mediation model

The recent deceleration in global economic growth, inadequate domestic demand, and diminished public expectations for economic prospects have exacerbated the career decision-making difficulties of Chinese college students. To assist them in making better career decisions, we examined the mechanisms by which career doubt affects career decision-making difficulties, with career exploration as a mediator and career-related parental support as a moderator. The results of a survey of 1,737 college students revealed significant associations among career doubt, career exploration, and career-related parental support. Career exploration mediated the relationship between career doubt and career decision-making difficulties, and the negative connection of career doubt to career exploration was buffered by career-related parental support. Our findings deepen understanding of the process from career doubt to career decision-making difficulties.