Moderating Effect of Career Trait Anxiety between the relationship of Career Exploration and Career Indecision among the Youngsters: A study on Iraq Universities

Abstract

This study examines the moderating effect of career trait anxiety (CATA) on the association between career exploration (CAE) and career indecisions (CAI) among university students in Iraq. Three hundred fifty students completed the self-administered questionnaire disseminated using a convenient sample technique to students in higher education. The quantitative research approach, cross-sectional research, and Partial Least Square (PLS)-Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were utilized for the measurement and structural model. The regression results demonstrated a strong connection between CAE and CAI. Both general trait career anxiety (GETCA) and expected career anxiety (EXCA) have a positive and statistically significant effect on CAI. The indirect impact also showed a substantial relationship between CATA and TAI. The findings suggest that the function of career trait anxiety in decision-making and job exploration may change over time. From a cross-sectional perspective, career trait anxiety may promote CAE and, ultimately, professional decision-making, despite being related to less inquiry and more serious difficulties in decision-making. The study could help regulatory authorities and decision-makers support effective career counseling among students to choose the correct profession.