The authors aimed to integrate the mixed results reported by previous empirical studies and obtain a clearer understanding of CDSE’s role within the framework of social cognitive career theory (SCCT).

The gap

Consensus across the literature

Supporting evidence — 4 representative gaps

• Changes in career decision-making difficulties during early and mid-adolescence (2026) · doi

  Despite notable contributions, this study is not without its limitations. First, the sample included only Croatian adolescents, limiting the generalizability of the find- ings to other cultures and schooling systems. Cross-cultural comparisons might help us gain a broader view of how sociocultural factors contribute to change in career decision-making difficulties during adolescence. Second, although this study used a longitudinal design, reliance on self-report measures (e.g., CDDQ-R) could introduce response biases or capture only perceived career decision-making difficul- ties rather than actual difficulties. Future work should explore combining multiple data sources (e.g., teacher or counselor ratings) and potentially objective measures. Third, although gender and subjective SES were included as covariates, other poten- tially influential variables such as parental involvement, academic achievement, or access to career guidance resources were not assessed and may offer a better under- standing of individual differences in career development. Lastly, the decision to exclude the Dysfunctional Beliefs subscale from the final model, while improving fit, limits insight into the role of cognitive distortions in the decision-making pro- cess. Future research could explore alternative methods for assessing dysfunctional beliefs, such as using different instruments, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, or examining specific beliefs separately to better understand their role in career decision-making. Studies should also evaluate tailored career interventions at key developmental stages, particularly for younger adolescents who face greater challenges. Longitudinal research extending into early adulthood would clarify how early difficulties evolve and affect long-term outcomes. A qualitative study would capture adolescents’ subjective experiences. By integrating these approaches, future research can guide the development of effective strategies to support adolescents in making confident and well-informed career decisions. Funding The funding was provided by Hrvatska Zaklada za Znanost, IP-2019-04-7537, Iva Sverko.

  Keywords: career decision making adolescents difficulties future beliefs included longitudinal measures capture explore combining subjective better
• Understanding Career Decision Self-Efficacy (2011) · doi

  The authors aimed to integrate the mixed results reported by previous empirical studies and obtain a clearer understanding of CDSE’s role within the framework of social cognitive career theory (SCCT).

  Keywords: authors aimed integrate mixed reported previous empirical obtain clearer understanding cdse role within framework social
• Collectivism and Perceived Congruence With Parents as Antecedents to Career Aspirations (2016) · doi

  Cultural orientation and perceived career congruence with parents are potentially important influences on adolescent career development in collectivist contexts, but few studies have integrated these variables in a social cognitive-based model.

  Keywords: career cultural orientation perceived congruence parents potentially important influences adolescent development collectivist contexts integrated variables
• Associations of Career Decision-Making Strategies With Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy and Difficulties Among French-Speaking Swiss Adolescents and Young Adults (2024) · doi

  Although some strategies are deemed adaptive, the differential links of career decision-making strategies to self-efficacy and difficulties, in general and in various cultural contexts, remain unclear.

  Keywords: strategies deemed adaptive differential links career decision making self efficacy difficulties general various cultural contexts