The association between teacher caring behavior and employment anxiety in female vocational college students: a serial mediation analysis of career decision-making self-efficacy and psychological capital.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to examine the association between teachers' caring behaviors on employment anxiety among female students in vocational colleges, as well as the sequential multiple mediating roles of career decision-making self-efficacy and psychological capital in this association. The findings are intended to offer both theoretical insights and practical guidance for developing psychological interventions to support female students in their transition to employment.

METHODS

Based on Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), this study collected data from 1,424 female students enrolled in 10 vocational colleges across Hunan, Jiangxi, and Henan provinces. Participants completed a series of validated instruments, including the Teacher Caring Behavior Questionnaire, the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale, the Psychological Capital Questionnaire, and the Employment Anxiety Scale.

RESULTS

The results indicated that: (1) teachers' caring behaviors were significant negatively correlated with employment anxiety among female vocational college students; (2) career decision-making self-efficacy served as a significant mediator in the association between teacher caring behavior and employment anxiety; (3) psychological capital also functioned as a significant mediator in this association; and (4) career decision-making self-efficacy and psychological capital jointly exerted a significant serial mediating on the link between teacher caring behavior and employment anxiety.

CONCLUSION

Teacher caring behaviors are negatively correlated with employment anxiety among female vocational college students. In addition, this association can be explained indirectly through a sequential intervening pathway involving career decision-making self-efficacy and psychological capital.