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The Effect of Career Adaptability on Career Anxiety with the Mediation of Self-Efficacy in Decision-Making in UNESA Business Education Students

Economic Education Analysis Journal · Vol. 15 No. 2 (2026) · pp. 236–248

DOI
10.15294/eeaj.v15i2.45805
ISSN
2502-356X, 2252-6544
Published
2026-06-30
Publisher
Universitas Negeri Semarang
Language
eng

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between career adaptability and career anxiety through the mediating role of career decision-making self-efficacy among undergraduate business education students. Drawing on Career Construction Theory and Social Cognitive Career Theory, the study addresses the limited understanding of how adaptive career resources are translated into reduced career anxiety through confidence in career decision-making. A quantitative explanatory design was employed, and all members of the target population were included to ensure comprehensive representation of the study context. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed through path analysis. The findings demonstrate that career adaptability reduces career anxiety both directly and indirectly through career decision-making self-efficacy. Students with stronger adaptive capacities tend to develop greater confidence in making career decisions, which subsequently alleviates career-related anxiety. This study extends career development literature by clarifying the psychological mechanism linking adaptability and anxiety, while offering practical implications for higher education institutions in designing interventions that strengthen students’ career readiness, decision-making confidence, and resilience in navigating an increasingly uncertain labor market.

Keywords

Collaboration network of the authors

5 authors · 5 co-authorship links

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  • State University of Semarang
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Different organisations
  • Same organisation
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Thicker line = more joint articles · bigger circle = more articles
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Co-authorOrganisationJoint articles
Layyinatul MukhlishohAffiliation unknown1
Sri KadarwatiState University of Semarang1
Harjito HarjitoAffiliation unknown1

Affiliations come from OpenAlex; journal OAI-PMH metadata carries none. Authors without an OpenAlex ID are matched by name, which can merge or split people.

Metadata source: OAI-PMH (metadata jurnal) https://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/eeaj/oai, first harvested 5 Nov 2026, last seen 5 Nov 2026.
Original metadata (oai_dc) 
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	<dc:title xml:lang="en">The Effect of Career Adaptability on Career Anxiety with the Mediation of Self-Efficacy in Decision-Making in UNESA Business Education Students</dc:title>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Badriyah, Lailatul </dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Rakhmawati, Dwi Yuli</dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Career Adaptability, Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy, Career Anxiety, University Students, Career Development</dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en">This study examines the relationship between career adaptability and career anxiety through the mediating role of career decision-making self-efficacy among undergraduate business education students. Drawing on Career Construction Theory and Social Cognitive Career Theory, the study addresses the limited understanding of how adaptive career resources are translated into reduced career anxiety through confidence in career decision-making. A quantitative explanatory design was employed, and all members of the target population were included to ensure comprehensive representation of the study context. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed through path analysis. The findings demonstrate that career adaptability reduces career anxiety both directly and indirectly through career decision-making self-efficacy. Students with stronger adaptive capacities tend to develop greater confidence in making career decisions, which subsequently alleviates career-related anxiety. This study extends career development literature by clarifying the psychological mechanism linking adaptability and anxiety, while offering practical implications for higher education institutions in designing interventions that strengthen students’ career readiness, decision-making confidence, and resilience in navigating an increasingly uncertain labor market.</dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en">Universitas Negeri Semarang</dc:publisher>
	<dc:date>2026-06-30</dc:date>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/article</dc:type>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion</dc:type>
	<dc:type xml:lang="en">Peer-reviewed Article</dc:type>
	<dc:format>application/pdf</dc:format>
	<dc:identifier>https://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/eeaj/article/view/45805</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.15294/eeaj.v15i2.45805</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en">Economic Education Analysis Journal; Vol. 15 No. 2 (2026): Economic Education Analysis Journal; 236-248</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2502-356X</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2252-6544</dc:source>
	<dc:source>10.15294/eeaj.v15i2</dc:source>
	<dc:language>eng</dc:language>
	<dc:relation>https://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/eeaj/article/view/45805/10071</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">Copyright (c) 2026 Economic Education Analysis Journal</dc:rights>
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