Adolescent Self-Control and Career Ambivalence: Longitudinal Mediation via Decision-Making Self-Efficacy

This longitudinal study examined how self-control influences adolescents’ ambivalence in career decision-making through the development of career decision-making self-efficacy (CDSE). Participants were 609 Chinese adolescents (ages 8–15, 43.30% females). Guided by the Social Cognitive Career Theory and the Career Self-Management model, we proposed that self-control functions as a regulatory foundation shaping both the initial level and change of career ambivalence via efficacy beliefs. Data were collected across three waves and analyzed using latent growth modeling. Results indicated that higher self-control predicted a slower increase in career ambivalence over time, partly through stronger early self-efficacy. During adolescence, CDSE declined while ambivalence increased, reflecting divergent motivational and emotional trends. These findings highlight the interplay between self-regulation and motivation in adolescent career development and suggest that fostering both self-control and self-efficacy can promote confident and adaptive career decision-making.