Korean J Med Educ.  2017 Sep;29(3):175-185. 10.3946/kjme.2017.63.

Career exploration behavior of Korean medical students

• An H
• Lee SH

• KMID: 2389338
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3946/kjme.2017.63

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study is to analyze the effects of medical students' social support and career barriers on career exploration behavior mediated by career decision-making self-efficacy.
METHODS
We applied the t-test to investigate the difference among the variables based on gender and admission types. Also, we performed path analysis to verify the effect of perceived career barriers and social support on career exploration behavior with career decision efficacy as a mediator.
RESULTS
First, we noted statistically significant gender and admission type difference in social support, career barriers and career exploration behaviors. Second, social support and career barriers were found to influence career exploration behavior as a mediating variable for career decision-making self-efficacy.
CONCLUSION
Social support and career barriers as perceived by medical students influenced their career exploration behavior, with their decision-making self-efficacy serving as a full mediator. Therefore, this study has educational implications for career program development and educational training for career decision-making self-efficacy.

Keyword

Social support; Career barriers; Career decision-making self-efficacy; Career exploration behavior

MeSH Terms

Humans
Negotiating
Program Development
Students, Medical*