Linking Socioeconomic Status to Social Cognitive Career Theory Factors: A Partial Least Squares Path Modeling Analysis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the contributions of socioeconomic status (SES) in predicting social cognitive career theory (SCCT) factors. Data were collected from 738 college students in Taiwan. The results of the partial least squares (PLS) analyses indicated that SES significantly predicted career decision self-efficacy (CDSE); however, the relationship between SES and career decision-making outcome expectations (CDMOE) was not significant. In addition, the findings revealed that CDSE had a direct effect as well as an indirect effect, via CDMOE, on career exploratory intentions. Implications for counseling and future research are discussed.