The relationship between time perspective and career decision-making difficulties

Abstract

Career decision-making difficulties (CDMD) are among the most researched concepts in career counseling literature. CDMD may cause individuals to avoid the decision-making process or to make a decision that is less suitable for them. How they interpret the past, how to evaluate the impact of the present on the future, and what to expect from the future can affect an individual’s decision-making process. Studies on CDMD seem to focus on the future time perspective (TP) generally. However, this research study aimed to examine the relationship between the multidimensional nature of the TP and the CDMD of young adults. The study included 331 university students (73.4% women, 26.6% men) aged 18–25 years. The participants completed a Demographic form, the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory Short Form (ZTPI-SF), and the Career Decision-Making Difficulties Questionnaire (CDMDQ). As a result of canonical correlation analysis, three canonical correlations were significant. The results showed that different TP patterns were associated with CDMD. Suggestions for future theoretical and applied research in the field of career counseling and guidance are also presented.