Ambiguity aversion in career decision-making: Its longitudinal prediction for college career outcomes.

Although previous research has revealed the role of ambiguity aversion in the career decision-making process, little is known about how ambiguity aversion predicts subsequent career decision-making outcomes. Using a sample of U.S. college students ( = 371), the current study examined a longitudinal (3 waves) mediation model in which ambiguity aversion predicts subsequent college career outcomes through commitment anxiety. The results showed that ambiguity aversion at the beginning of college negatively predicted major and life satisfaction and job search self-efficacy at the end of college. Additionally, the results showed that commitment anxiety at the end of the first semester mediated the link from ambiguity aversion to subsequent major and life satisfaction and job search self-efficacy. Therefore, the study demonstrates the importance of ambiguity management for career outcomes among college students. The theoretical and practical implications of this study are discussed together with the limitations and suggestions for future research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).