Factors Affecting Career Goals of Taiwanese College Athletes From Perspective of Social Cognitive Career Theory

Abstract

The present study attempted to identify the psychological processes associated with the career goals of Taiwanese college athletes. In order to identify the psychological processes potentially associated with career goals, the study drew upon social cognitive career theory (SCCT). The results supported SCCT indicating that career decision-making self-efficacy contributed to vocational interests, outcome expectations, and career goals. Social support was found to be related to career decision-making self-efficacy, and outcome expectations were found to be related to vocational interests. In addition, the results revealed that career decision-making self-efficacy and outcome expectations indirectly affected career goals through vocational interests and that social support indirectly affected career goals through career decision-making self-efficacy. However, the results did not support the hypothesis that social support and outcome expectations contributed to career goals. The practical implications of these findings in terms of the career counseling given to Taiwanese college athletes are discussed.