Effect of perceived social support on career expectations of vocational college students in China: the chain mediating roles of self-efficacy and professional identity

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between perceived social support and the career expectations of vocational college students. A total of 1,497 vocational college students were recruited to complete a battery of assessments, including scales for perceived social support, general self-efficacy, professional identity, and career expectations. The results indicated that: (1) Perceived social support was a significant positive predictor of career expectations; (2) Self-efficacy and professional identity sequentially mediated the relationship between perceived social support and career expectations, thereby establishing a chain of mediation. Our findings underscore the pivotal role of a supportive and motivational environment in the initial formation of realistic career expectations.