Abstract:

Examining the incongruence between individual and parental career goals is of great importance for individuals' career development and overall life satisfaction. Parents often have a significant influence on their children's career choices, and when this influence does not align with the individuals' own desires and goals, it can lead to various issues. Individuals who strive to meet their parents' expectations instead of pursuing their own career goals may experience decreased motivation, job satisfaction, and overall quality of life. Those who choose careers under parental pressure may face internal conflicts over time, potentially leading to long-term negative outcomes such as occupational burnout and job stress. Therefore, examining the incongruence between individual and parental career goals is crucial for enabling individuals to make more autonomous and informed decisions about their career paths.

The impact of parent-individual career goal incongruence on self-efficacy can directly affect an individual's belief in their own abilities and goals. Self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their capacity to successfully perform a specific task and plays a critical role in career development. Divergent expectations from parents regarding career goals can create uncertainty and lack of confidence in individuals about their own abilities and aspirations. This situation can undermine individuals' confidence in their decisions and capabilities, thereby lowering their self-efficacy levels. Individuals who are steered towards career paths that do not match their interests and abilities under parental pressure may believe they will not succeed, negatively impacting their overall motivation.

The effect of parent-individual career goal incongruence on self-efficacy can also weaken individuals' ability to make independent decisions. Those who try to meet their parents' expectations may disregard their own goals and desires, hindering their process of discovering and developing their potential. Individuals who lack sufficient experience in making and implementing their own decisions may struggle more when faced with future challenges. To mitigate the negative effects of parent-individual career goal incongruence on self-efficacy, it is important for individuals to set their own career goals and receive support from their parents in this process. Parents who respect their children's abilities and interests and encourage them to pursue their own career paths play a crucial role in enhancing individuals' self-efficacy.

The aim of this study is to determine the impact of parent-individual career goal incongruence on self-efficacy for 450 final-year university students in Istanbul. According to the correlation analysis, a 46.1% negative relationship was found between parent-individual career goal incongruence and self-efficacy. The regression analysis results indicated that parent-individual career goal incongruence has a negative and significant effect on self-efficacy (β=-0.474, p<0.01). In conclusion, examining the incongruence between individual and parental career goals is important for creating a more harmonious and supportive environment at both individual and familial levels.

Keywords:

Parent-Individual Career Goal Incongruence, Self-Efficacy, University Students, Statistical Analysis.