Core self-evaluation and career decision self-efficacy: A mediation model of value orientations

a r t i c l e i n f o This study examined two value orientations (i.e., a doing orientation, or the tendency to commit to work ethic and goals, and a mastery orientation, or the tendency to seek control over outside forces) as mediators in the relationship between core self-evaluation and career decision self-efficacy. Data were collected from 802 Chinese university students and analyzed employing structural equation modeling. Results showed that both doing and mastery orientations fully mediated the relationship between core self-evaluation and career decision self-efficacy. Mastery orientation exhibited a stronger mediating effect on this relationship than did doing orientation. These findings reveal some important mechanisms underlying the role of core self-evaluation in career decision-making processes and offer useful implications for researchers and practitioners. A career decision is one of the most sophisticated and important decisions in one's lifetime (Jiang, 2014). Research indicates that career decision self-efficacy (CDSE) serves as a core factor that facilitates career decision-making processes (Choi et al., 2012). CDSE refers to the extent to which individuals show confidence in their competencies to successfully perform career decision-making tasks that are related to self-appraisal, collection of occupational information, problem solving, goal selection, and planning for the future (Betz, Klein, & Taylor, 1996; Jiang, 2014). In general, individuals with higher CDSE are better able to deal with difficulties and less likely to experience psychological obstacles in making career decisions (Di Fabio & Maree, 2013; Jiang, 2014). Due to its functions in reducing concerns and stresses in diverse career behaviors, researchers suggest that it is important to explore various approaches to enhancing individuals' CDSE throughout the vocational development journey (Choi et al., 2012). The literature suggests that core self-evaluation (CSE) is one critical variable that significantly contributes to the development of CDSE (Choi et al., 2012; Judge, Erez, Bono, & Thoresen, 2003). CSE is considered to be " a basic, fundamental appraisal of one's worthiness, effectiveness, and capability as a person " (Judge et al., 2003, p. 304). People with positive CSE usually like themselves and are confident in their own capabilities and effectiveness in handling work and life issues, while those with negative CSE dislike themselves and feel incapable and powerless (Jiang & Jiang, 2015). According to Judge, Locke, and Durham (1997), CSE consists of four personality traits that underlie individuals' cognitive appraisal processes: locus of control, emotional stability, generalized self-efficacy, and self-esteem. These four traits …