The Impact of Major Choice Motivation on Career Maturity : Focused on Mediating Role of Social Support and Achievement Motivation

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The aim of this study is to empirically investigate the structural relationships between major choice motivation, social support, achievement motivation, and career maturity among Chinese design major university students. Based on previous research, a related research model and hypotheses were constructed and tested. This study involved first-year to fourth-year undergraduate students majoring in design from six universities in Guangdong Province. A total of 597 questionnaires were distributed, of which 533 valid responses were used to assess the model fit and confirm the relationships between the variables. The study analyzed both the direct and mediating effects of the hypothesized model. The specific research results are as follows. Firstly, major choice motivation had a significant positive impact on the career maturity among Chinese design major university students. Secondly, major choice motivation had a significant positive impact on the social support among Chinese design major university students. Thirdly, Social support had a significant positive impact on the career maturity among Chinese design major university students. Fourthly, the major choice motivation had a significant positive impact on the achievement motivation among Chinese design major university students. Fifthly, achievement motivation had a significant positive impact on the career maturity among Chinese design major university students. Sixthly, Social support had a significant mediating effect in the relationship between major choice motivation and career maturity among Chinese design major university students. Seventhly, Achievement motivation had a significant mediating effect in the relationship between major choice motivation and career maturity among Chinese design major university students. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of major choice motivation in career maturity, while highlighting the key roles of social support and achievement motivation in this process. This provides valuable insights for early intervention in universities and the development of targeted career planning strategies. For example, educators should prioritize the establishment of a social support system and provide multi-dimensional support to help students better understand their professional choices and career goals. Compared to other academic fields, research on Chinese design major university students is relatively limited. In particular, the factors influencing career maturity among Chinese design major students can serve as foundational data for future academic and practical issues in design education. This study not only enriches the theoretical research on career maturity but also offers new perspectives for Chinese design education, university employment services, and mental health education. Key words: Major Choice Motivation, Social Support, Achievement Motivation, Career Maturity, Chinese Design Major University Students

목차 (Table of Contents)

• Abstract ⅵ
• Ⅰ. Introduction 1
• 1. Research Necessity1
• 2. Research Purpose 7
• 3. Research Questions 8
• 4. Definition of Terms 8
• Ⅱ. Theoretical Background 10
• 1. Design Major in Chinese Universities 10
• 1) History of the Development of Design Education in China 10
• 2) Overview of Modern Design Education in China 11
• 3) Current Situation of Design Majors in Chinese
• Higher Education Institutions 13
• 4) Current Employment Situation of Design Major Students in
• China 15
• 2. Major Choice Motivation 17
• 1) Concept of Major Choice Motivation 17
• 2) Dimensions of Major Choice Motivation22
• 3. Career Maturity 28
• 1) Concept of Career Maturity 28
• 2) Dimensions of Career Maturity 33
• 4. Social Support 42
• 1) Concept of Social Support 42
• 2) Dimensions of Social Support 48
• 5. Achievement Motivation 52
• 1) Concept of Achievement Motivation 52
• 2) Dimensions of Achievement Motivation 57
• 6. Relationship among Variables 60
• 1) Major Choice Motivation and Career Maturity60
• 2) Major Choice Motivation and Social Support61
• 3) Social Support and Career Maturity 62
• 4) Major Choice Motivation and Achievement Motivation63
• 5) Achievement Motivation and Career Maturity 64
• 6) The mediating relationship between social support and
• achievement motivation65
• Ⅲ. Research Method67
• 1. Research model and research hypothesis67
• 2. Research Participants69
• 3. Research Procedures 71
• 4. Research tools 72
• 1) Major choice motivation 72
• 2) Career Maturity 73
• 3) Social Support 75
• 4) Achievement motivation 76
• 5. Data Analysis 77
• Ⅳ. Results79
• 1. Basic Statistical Analysis 79
• 1) Descriptive Statistics and Normality Verification 79
• 2) Difference Analysis in Demographic Variables80
• 3）Correlation Analysis89
• 2. Measurement Model Analysis 93
• 1) Measurement Model Fit93
• 2) Confirmatory Factor Analysis 96
• 3) Validity Analysis 97
• 3. Research Hypotheses Analysis 100
• 1) Validation of Research Model Fit 100
• 2) Direct Effects 102
• 3) Mediating Effects 103
• 4. Adoption of Research Hypotheses 104
• Ⅴ. Research conclusions 105
• 1. Research Summary 105
• 2. Discussion and Conclusion106
• 3. Limitations and Suggestions112
• References114
• Appendix138
• 국문초록 147