Career self-efficacy as a mediator between emotional intelligence and employment planning among US college students

This study examines the dynamics of personality traits that interfere with occupational decisions among young adults, especially during a pandemic. Three multiple regression analyses were conducted to predict career decision self-efficacy (CDSE), e.g., planning and indecision from Big 5 measures. We hypothesized EI affect employment conflicts (Study 1), CDSE mediates difficulty 2). Conscientiousness openness significantly predicted CDSE, F(5, 128) = 15.64, p < .001, R2 .38, while neuroticism was statistically significant in predicting CSPS, 3.94, .01, .13. Neuroticism for variables negative correlation found between (r -0.25, at .01). Results demonstrate positive effect mediated EI’s link indecision, which reveals conscientiousness also participants’ (β -0.17, .05).