Edunesia : jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan
Vol. 7 No. 3 (2026)

The Role of Self-Efficacy in Career Adaptability: A Comparative Study of Senior and Vocational High School Students

Rizki Amalia (Universitas Lambung mangkurat)
Muhammad Syarif Hidayatullah (Universitas Lambung Mangkurat)



Article Info

Publish Date
02 Jul 2026

Abstract

Career development during adolescence requires psychological resources that enable students to manage educational and occupational transitions. However, empirical evidence comparing self-efficacy and career adaptability across academic and vocational secondary education remains limited. This study examined the relationship between self-efficacy and career adaptability, compared these variables between senior high school (SMA) and vocational high school (SMK) students, and assessed the contribution of self-efficacy to career adaptability. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted with 224 Indonesian secondary school students recruited through convenience sampling, with participant recruitment exhibiting snowball characteristics. Data were collected using the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) and the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale (CAAS) and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, independent-samples t-test, and simple linear regression. Self-efficacy was positively associated with career adaptability (r = 0.824, p < 0.001) and explained 67.8% of its variance (R² = 0.678, p < 0.001). Vocational high school students demonstrated significantly higher self-efficacy and career adaptability than senior high school students. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening self-efficacy through school-based career guidance interventions.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

edu

Publisher

Subject

Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Mathematics Social Sciences Other

Description

As an National or international, multi-disciplinary, the scope of this journal is in education which provides a platform for the publication of the most advanced scientific researches in the areas of education, learning, development, instruction and teaching. The journal welcomes original empirical ...