Date of Award
12-2027
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School
Psychology
Committee Chair
Dr. Emily Bullock-Yowell
Committee Chair School
Psychology
Committee Member 2
Melanie Leuty
Committee Member 2 School
Psychology
Committee Member 3
Eric Dahlen
Committee Member 3 School
Psychology
Committee Member 4
Kevin Wells
Committee Member 4 School
Psychology
Abstract
Vocational psychology is replete with research that demonstrates that mental health challenges are linked to career indecisiveness. Career and mental health practitioners often assume that mental health difficulties are the underlying cause of career decision-making difficulties. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between career indecisiveness, suicidal ideation, and mental health difficulties among college students, with purpose in life and hopelessness as mediators to examine the role they play in these associations. Participants were 472 college students who completed measures of career indecisiveness, suicidal ideation, purpose in life, interpersonal hopelessness, mental health distress, and neuroticism.
Results of a path analysis of two models, with suicidal ideation (Model 1) and mental health difficulties (Model 2) as outcome variables. The direct path from career indecisiveness to suicidal ideation and mental health difficulties was statistically significant. In both models, purpose in life and hopelessness were significantly associated with the outcome variables. In addition, the indirect effects from career indecisiveness to both suicidal ideation (Model 1) and mental health difficulties (Model 2) through purpose in life and interpersonal hopelessness were statistically significant. Model 1 represented a full mediation effect and Model 2 a partial mediation effect. These findings indicate associations between career indecisiveness and psychological outcomes, both directly and indirectly, with important implications for career-related and clinical practices.
ORCID ID
0009-0004-2100-5641
Copyright
Lanecko A. Bailey 2027
Recommended Citation
Bailey, Lanecko A., "Uncertain Futures and Psychological Health: Exploring the Influence of Career Indecisiveness on Mental Health Difficulties and Suicidal Ideation and Examining the Mediating Role of Purpose in Life and Hopelessness" (2027). Dissertations. 2501.
https://aquila.usm.edu/dissertations/2501
Included in
Counseling Psychology Commons, Mental Disorders Commons, Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy Commons, Psychological Phenomena and Processes Commons