The role of career adaptation, career optimism and career decision making self-efficacy in explaining career stress of university students in career transition process

The aim of this research is to examine the roles of career adaptability and optimism and career decision-making self-efficacy variables in explaining the career stress levels of senior university students who are in career transition. In addition, it was also aimed to examine the career stress level of university students according to various demographic, educational, working and job prospects variables. Relational survey model and convenience sampling method were used in the study. The research group consisted of 400 4th grade students studying at the Faculty of Education, Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Health Sciences at a foundation university in Ankara. The data were collected by face-to-face aapplication of the "Personal Information Form", "Career Stress Scale", "Career Adaptability and Optimism Scale" and "Career Decision Making Self-Efficacy Scale". The data collected were analyzed using SPSS package program. T-test and ANOVA analysis were used to examine career stress according to the variables collected through the personal information form also multiple regression analysis was used to examine career adaptability and optimism and career decision-making self-efficacy variables. As a result of the research, it was found that there was a negative, moderate and significant relationship between career stress and career adaptability and optimism. Likewise, there was a negative, moderate and significant relationship between career stress and career decision-making self-efficacy. It was concluded that there was a positive, high and significant relationship between career adaptability and optimism and career decision-making self-efficacy of senior students. Career adaptability and optimism and career decision-making self-efficacy were found to be predictors of career stress. In addition, it was concluded that the level of career stress of university students differed according to university satisfaction, department satisfaction, thinking that they could find a job related to their field after graduation and thinking that they could find a job in any sector after graduation. It is thought that the results collected from the research will contribute to the literature for researchers and practitioners, and to the applications in the field of psychological counseling and guidance and career counseling.