Career Anxiety Among University Students: Determinants, Mediating Factors, and Outcomes – A Systematic Review with Implications for Nepal

Abstract

Background: Career anxiety has become an important psychological and social issue among university students worldwide during the transition process from education to employment.

Methods: This review paper aims to analyze the research outcomes in the selected fifty papers and identify the main causes, mediators, and outcomes of career anxiety among university students.

Results: The review indicates that there are different psychological, educational, and socio-economic factors of career anxiety, including academic pressure, employment ambiguity, neuroticism, low self-efficacy, and organizational factors. Academic pressure has been positively related to career anxiety in many studies, while resilience acts as a mediator in decreasing anxiety. Similarly, neuroticism enhances the anxiety of students owing to stress and lack of self-regulation. Furthermore, social support, career calling, and career identity have also helped to reduce career anxiety among students.

Conclusion: It has been observed that career anxiety has negative impacts on academic performance, career decisions, psychological well-being, and wellness of students.

Novelty: While numerous studies have been conducted in this field, very little research has been done in the Nepalese context. However, in Nepal, this problem has become more severe due to unemployment, migratory pressure, and lack of career counseling, leading to further increased career anxiety among students.