Structural Relationships Among VariablesAffecting Elementary School Students'Career Preparation Behavior: Using a Multi-Group Structural Equation Approach

The purpose of this study was to analyze the structural relationships between parent support, career decision self-efficacy, career maturity, and career preparation behaviorfor elementary school students (5th and 6th grade) in Korea and to examine if there are gender differences.A total of 609students of 7 elementary schools in Seoul, Koreawas participated in this research. The collected data were analyzed using a structural equation model. The conclusionsare as follows: First, parent support had significant positive effects on career preparation behavior but affectednegatively career maturity. Second, career decision self-efficacy hada significant effect on career maturity and career preparation behavior for both boys and girls in elementary school.Finally, career decision self-efficacy hada more directand indirect influence on career maturity and career preparation behavior than parent support.