PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUNG PEOPLE’S CAREER DECISION-MAKING UNDER CONDITIONS OF UNCERTAINTY

Abstract

The article presents a theoretical and empirical analysis of the psychological characteristics of young people’s career decision-making under conditions of uncertainty. The relevance of the study is determined by the instability and unpredictability of the socio-professional environment, which complicates professional self-determination and increases emotional tension during career choice. The aim was to identify the psychological characteristics of stress experience in career decision-making among young people. The sample consisted of 228 respondents aged 18–40 years, with a mean age of 23.13 years. The study employed validated psychodiagnostic instruments, including the Career Anchors Inventory, the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale, the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, the Mental Health Continuum– Short Form, the Personal Readiness for Change Questionnaire, and the BBC Subjective Well-Being Scale. The data were processed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. Career decision-making was characterized by a moderate level of stress with pronounced individual variability. The most prominent career orientations were service, autonomy, and lifestyle integration. A significant association with subjective stress was found only for job security orientation. Career adaptability showed no significant associations with stress. Stress experience was associated with intolerance of uncertainty, psychological and subjective well-being, and readiness for change. Higher prospective and inhibitory anxiety were linked to higher stress, whereas higher well-being, optimism, confidence, resourcefulness, and readiness for change were related to lower stress intensity. The findings should be considered in psychological support programs for professional self-determination