Modeling the Relationship between Self-Efficacy, Locus of Control, and Career Planning among Adolescents
Abstract
Low career planning maturity among high school students suggests that internal psychological factors, particularly self-efficacy and locus of control, significantly influence career readiness. This study aimed to analyze the effect of self-efficacy and locus of control, both partially and simultaneously, on students' career planning. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed. The population consisted of Grade X and XI students from senior high schools, vocational schools, and Islamic senior high schools across Central Java, with a sample of 594 students from SMA Negeri 1 Jekulo Kudus, SMK Negeri 3 Pati, and MA Sabilul Ulum Jepara selected through purposive and total sampling. Data were collected using a Likert-scale questionnaire and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4. The results showed that self-efficacy had a positive and significant effect on career planning (β = 0.350; t = 8.985; p < .001), locus of control also had a positive and significant effect (β = 0.156; t = 3.428; p = .001), and both variables simultaneously had a significant effect on career planning (F = 54.754; p < .001), although together they explained only 16.3% of the variance in career planning (R² = 0.163). It is concluded that self-efficacy and locus of control are important psychological factors, with self-efficacy as the most dominant contributor, in supporting students' career planning. Schools are recommended to strengthen career guidance services that build students' self-confidence and internal control orientation, and future research should consider additional variables not covered in this model.
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