Mediating Role of Career Adaptability in Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Career Decision Making Difficulties

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of career adaptability in relationship between emotional intelligence and career decision making difficulties among 9th grade students. Methods: This was a correlational research that using structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of 9th grade students of Qazvin province in the academic year 2016-17. The sample consisted of 433 students (206 boys and 227 girls) selected by multi-stage random cluster sampling. Measures included Career Adaptability Scale, Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory, and Decision Making Difficulties Questionnaire. The data were calculated using Pearson correlation coefficients (using SPSS-24), and structural equation modeling. The statistical significance of indirect effects also was calculated by bootstrapping method (using AMOS24). Findings: The results of this study showed that most of the overall -0.67 for the emotional intelligence on decision-making difficulties was indirectly due to the mediation of career adaptability (β = -0.41, p <0.001), while a part of it was more directly (β = -0.26, p <0.001). The conceptual model also showed a significant fit with the data (SRMR = 0.03; RMSEA = 0.06). The results of the comparison of total fit and path coefficients among girls and boys also showed that the research model is same for both groups (p <0.11). Conclusion: In line with the career adaption model, the results of this study showed that a major part of the effects of social and emotional meta-capacities on the reduction of the incompatibility of career adaptive responses can be explained by the mobilization of psychosocial resources in the management of career related tasks, transitions and crises.