Work Volition, Career Decision Self-Efficacy, and Academic Satisfaction

Abstract

The present study examined the relation of work volition to career decision self-efficacy (CDSE) and academic satisfaction in a diverse sample of 447 undergraduate college students. Work volition was found to be moderately correlated with academic satisfaction and strongly correlated with CDSE. Potential mediators and moderators in the link of work volition to CDSE and academic satisfaction were also examined. Work locus of control (WLOC) was found to partially mediate these relations, and bootstrapping techniques confirmed the significance of indirect effects. Additionally, the moderating effects of gender and ethnicity in these relations were examined. Although gender was not a significant moderator in either relation, ethnicity was found to moderate the relation between work volition and academic satisfaction, such that work volition related more strongly to academic satisfaction for those who self-identified as White, relative to those who did not. Implications for research and practice are discussed.