AUTHOR=Tong Yuying , Zhong Ming , Yang Jiarun , Liu Xiaoxuan , Yang Daiwa , Zhao Xueying , Hou Yixuan 

TITLE=The influence of self-efficacy on career maturity in college students: mediating the moderation of creativity tendency and achievement motivation

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=Volume 16 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1585195

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1585195

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=ObjectiveThis study explores the relationship between self-efficacy and career maturity among college students, while investigating the mediating role of creativity tendency and achievement motivation.MethodsA survey was conducted on 950 college students using the Self-Efficacy Scale, Career Maturity Scale, Creativity Tendency and Achievement Motivation Scale.ResultsSelf-efficacy significantly and positively predicts career maturity. Creativity tendency has a mediating effect between self-efficacy and career maturity among undergraduate students. The interaction between self-efficacy and achievement motivation significantly predicts creativity tendency, while the interaction between creativity tendency and achievement motivation significantly predicts career maturity.ConclusionCreativity tendency partially mediates the relationship between self-efficacy and career maturity. Achievement motivation moderates both the initial and later stages of the mediating pathway as “self-efficacy → creativity propensity → career maturity.”