Abstract:

The aim of this study was to identify, which psychological constructs predict career decidedness of students. Survey sample consisted of 302 Slovak grammar school students (Mage = 17,02; SDage = 0,841, 53 % women and 47 % men). The following questionnaires were used: The Career Motivation Scale (Abele, Hausmann, Weich, 1994), Perceived barriers (McWhirter, 1997) and The Emotional and Personality Career Difficulties Scale (EPCD, Saka, Gati, Kelly, 2008). To determine predictors of career decidedness, Enter- the type of the multiple linear regression analysis, was used. The predictors such as - anxiety, personality, identity (in terms of values identification difficulties, goals and characteristics) were identified. From metacognitive factors, extrinsic career motivation was identified as a predictor of decidedness. Other metacognitive factors did not show significant. Therefore, it is advisable to focus on deeper exploration of the stable personality factors, self-knowledge in the sense of identity, anxiety and motivation to make a particular career choice. These factors are probably critical in the career decision-making phase.

Keywords:

Career decision making, emotional and personality difficulties, metacognitions, second directional choice.