Career Decision Self-Efficacy and Self-Directed Learning Among Women University Students: A Cross-Cultural Study

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between career decision self-efficacy and self-directed learning among Black and White women university students. Three-hundred and fifty-five female university students (211 Black; 144 White) completed the Student Self-Directed Learning Questionnaire and the Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form. The data were analysed to predict career decision self-efficacy from self-directed learning. Self-directed learning explained approximately 20% of the variance in career decision self-efficacy. Career decision self-efficacy was similar in Black and White students although Black students had superior self-directed learning scores. The interaction of self-directed learning and race explained an additional 2.2% of the variance in career decision self-efficacy. This research shows that self-directedness in learning is a significant predictor of career decision self-efficacy.