The influence of emotional intelligence on career decision-making difficulties: a moderated chain mediating model

Although studies have identified emotions as a significant factor in career decision-making difficulties, there is still a paucity of research on the relationship between emotional intelligence and students' career decision-making difficulties. This study employs an integrated and process-oriented model of emotional intelligence and career-related outcomes to investigate the relationship between emotional intelligence and college students' career decision-making. Furthermore, the study examines the chain-mediated roles of social support, career adaptability, and the moderating role of career values. A sample survey of 2,126 college students in China was conducted using the Emotional Intelligence Scale, Social Support Scale, Career Adaptability Scale, Career Values Scale, and Career Decision-Making Difficulty Scale. The findings indicated that emotional intelligence exhibited a significant and negative correlation with college students' career decision-making difficulties. Higher emotional intelligence among college students helped reduce career decision-making difficulties. Furthermore, social support and career adaptability were identified as mediators in the relationship between emotional intelligence and career decision-making difficulties. Career values also played an important role in reducing difficulties in career decision-making. Career values were identified as a moderator in the mediation chain, suggesting that college students with high career values and high career adaptability experience significantly fewer difficulties in making career decisions than those with low career values and low career adaptability. The implications of these findings underscore the necessity for society to direct greater attention to the inner dimensions of college students, including their emotions and values. This study emphasized the significance of emotion management and the impact of social support, career adaptability, and career values in mitigating career decision-making challenges.