This study examined the effects of executive function deficits on career indecision among university students and investigated the sequential dual-mediating roles of balanced time perspective and promotion regulatory focus in this relationship. A surv...
This study examined the effects of executive function deficits on career indecision among university students and investigated the sequential dual-mediating roles of balanced time perspective and promotion regulatory focus in this relationship. A survey was administered to a sample of university students, measuring executive function deficits, balanced time perspective, promotion regulatory focus, and career indecision. The collected data were analyzed using correlation analysis, regression analysis, and mediation analysis with the PROCESS Macro.
The findings of this study are summarized as follows:
First, executive function deficits were found to have a significant positive effect on career indecision. Second, executive function deficits negatively predicted balanced time perspective, which in turn significantly reduced career indecision, indicating a mediating effect of balanced time perspective. Third, balanced time perspective positively predicted promotion regulatory focus, and promotion regulatory focus showed a positive effect on career indecision, suggesting its ambivalent role in both motivating goal-oriented exploration and increasing decision-making burden. Fourth, although executive function deficits did not directly influence promotion regulatory focus, the sequential dual-mediated pathway—from executive function deficits through balanced time perspective and promotion regulatory focus to career indecision—was found to be significant. Finally, the overall sequential dual-mediation model was supported, indicating that deficits in executive functioning may undermine temporal balance and subsequently intensify motivational pressure, thereby increasing career indecision. These findings underscore the importance of considering executive functioning, time perspective, and motivational orientation as interconnected processes in understanding and alleviating career indecision among university students.