IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL SUPPORT FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT: A REGULATORY FOCUS PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Career decision-making self-efficacy (CDM self-efficacy) is important for career development, and social support has been found to predict CDM self-efficacy. However, given the volatile and uncertain economic climate, it is likely that many individuals are adopting prevention focus toward their career development, under the regulatory focus theory; prevention focus is associated with pessimism, anxiety and negative self-evaluation, and therefore, might harm CDM self-efficacy. It was proposed that social support might serve as an important buffer against this harmful effect. The present research involved two studies. Study 1 sought to first verify and establish more evidence that social support promotes CDM self-efficacy, by examining the relationship in undergraduates while controlling for key covariates. Data from Study 2, a longitudinal study of working adults, was then analysed to investigate the interaction between social support and prevention focus in predicting CDM self-efficacy over time. Results suggested that social support is indeed important for promoting CDM self-efficacy, and also serves as an important buffer such that prevention focus toward career development only harms CDM self-efficacy and its growth when social support is weak. This emphasises the importance of strong social support especially for individuals who adopt prevention focus toward their career development.