Exploring the Connections Between Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy, Anxiety Levels, and Social Support Systems in High School Students

Abstract

Against the backdrop of globalization and technological revolution reshaping the professional landscape, high school students face increasingly complex career decisionmaking challenges. The quality of their decisions and psychological adaptation are profoundly influenced by the interplay among career decision self-efficacy, anxiety levels, and social support systems. Through systematic theoretical review and integrative research, this study aims to transcend superficial descriptions of variable correlations and delve into the intrinsic mechanisms linking these three factors. The study constructs an “Empowerment-Buffering Dual-Path Model”: social support influences self-efficacy and anxiety through distinct pathways. Informational and instrumental support primarily follow the “empowerment pathway” by enhancing skills and outcome expectations, thereby boosting efficacy and enabling proactive anxiety management. Emotional and evaluative support mainly traverse the “buffering pathway” by regulating stress perception and providing emotional reassurance, directly alleviating anxiety and preventing efficacy erosion. These pathways are interconnected and dynamically shift across different decision-making stages. This framework offers a systematic perspective for understanding adolescents’ career decision-making psychology and provides theoretical foundations and practical guidance for constructing an effective tripartite support system involving schools, families, and society.