Psychometric Properties of Career Distress and Its Impact on Career Indecision Through the Mediation of Career Adaptability

This study investigates the mediating role of career adaptability in the relationship between career distress and career indecision. In the context of a rapidly evolving job market, career adaptability has become a crucial factor for professional development. However, the interplay between career adaptability, career distress, and career indecision is not well understood. This research aims to address this gap through psychometric analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM). A sample of 337 undergraduate students from a wide range of academic disciplines at …………... University completed assessments measuring career adaptability, career distress, and career indecision. Psychometric analysis confirmed the reliability and validity of the career distress. SEM was employed to test the hypothesized mediation model. Results indicated that career adaptability significantly mediated the relationship between career distress and career indecision (p < .001). Higher levels of career adaptability were associated with lower levels of career indecision, even in the presence of career distress. These findings suggest that career adaptability may serve as a protective factor against the negative effects of career distress on decision-making processes. This study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence of the mediating role of career adaptability and underscores its importance in career development theory and practice.