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The Relationship Between Career Indecision and Depression, Considering the Effects of Self-Efficacy, Sense of Control, and Rumination When Students are Transitioning From High School Into Work or Tertiary Studies

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Thesis(3.04 MB)

Date

2024

Authors

Supervisor

Krägeloh, Christian
Henning, Marcus
Moir, Fiona

Item type

Thesis

Degree name

Doctor of Philosophy

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Publisher

Auckland University of Technology

Abstract

Transitioning from high school is considered a stressful period for adolescents as they contemplate their future. There is a dearth of studies that have investigated the interplay and relationship between mental health constructs and career indecision. Existing research has predominantly focussed on tertiary students, neglecting crucial challenges that high school students face approaching the transition from school. A scoping review was conducted first to inform the basis for a conceptual model, which provided a foundation for subsequent empirical enquiry. This thesis used a mixed methods design to investigate linkages between career indecision and depression, also considering the effects of rumination, sense of control and self-efficacy in high school students. The scoping review findings indicated there were no studies at this time that investigated career decision making, self-efficacy, sense of control, and mental health in the defined population of students, transitioning from school to work or tertiary studies. In fact, the scoping review only found nine studies that met the set inclusion criteria and these studies indicated that there are significant relationships between at least some combination of these variables in this population group. Data were collected from a representative sample of 315 high school students across New Zealand, utilising five valid and reliable scales, measuring career indecision, rumination, sense of control, self-efficacy and depression. The final sample analysed comprised 275 participants’ data. The results of the quantitative studies showed that sense of control over perceived external constraints and general self-efficacy acted as significant mediators of the relationship between career indecision and depressive symptomatology. The surveyed group exhibited significantly higher levels of career indecision and depression compared to previously reported normative results. Ruminative brooding significantly moderated the effects between career indecision and depressive symptoms. The adjusted postulated model indicating the linkages between these constructs was then tested and found to be a good fit to the data. In the final phase of this thesis research, 19 students from across New Zealand participated in three focus group interactions. The researcher explored aspects of career decision-making, feelings, sense of barriers and efficacy amongst the high school students. Data were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis, emerging themes were further explored and illustrated through vignettes. The vignettes illustrated the interrelatedness and complexity of this transition point. The themes from the qualitative study added further depth to the quantitative insights when mixed and emphasised the importance of addressing perceived barriers and efficacy in schools. The overall findings of this thesis gave rise to a plausible theoretical model indicating possible relationships between the constructs investigated. An integrated intervention approach is suggested to more holistically address the intersection between vocational and personal counselling in schools and tertiary institutions. The goal would be to inform strategies that better equip students as they navigate career decision making and personal mental health challenges in high school settings. The research findings provide direction for policy makers, education agencies, school principals, career guidance counsellors and school support agencies for providing new programmes of support and skills for high school students through this transition.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10292/18334

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Doctoral Theses