Social support as a moderator of the effects of self- and environmental exploration on career choice among beauty education students

Journal of Educational and Learning Studies August 12, 2026 Volume 9, Number 1 4 authors

Abstract

Career choice in vocational higher education requires students to understand their personal interests and competencies while navigating a rapidly changing professional environment. This study examined the effects of self-exploration, environmental exploration, and social support on career choice and tested the moderating role of social support among Beauty Education students. A cross-sectional explanatory survey was conducted with 177 fourth-, sixth-, and eighth-semester students selected using proportionate stratified random sampling. Data were collected through a 56-item four-point Likert questionnaire and analyzed using multiple regression, moderated regression analysis, and simple slope analysis. The direct-effect model was significant and explained 36.6% of the variance in career choice. Self-exploration (B = 0.284; β = 0.301; p < 0.001), environmental exploration (B = 0.389; β = 0.382; p < 0.001), and social support (B = 0.157; β = 0.153; p = 0.014) made positive contributions. Adding the interaction terms increased R² to 0.395 (ΔR² = 0.028; p = 0.020). Social support strengthened the effect of self-exploration (B = 0.230; p = 0.028) but attenuated the positive effect of environmental exploration (B = -0.242; p = 0.013). Career development programs should therefore combine structured self-reflection, professional-environment exposure, and autonomy-supportive social resources

Authors

  1. Fadhila Fitri Hamdani

    Universitas Negeri Padang

  2. Jonni Mardizal

    Universitas Negeri Padang

  3. Yuliarma Yuliarma

    Universitas Negeri Padang

  4. Waskito Waskito

    Universitas Negeri Padang

Keywords

Career ChoiceEnvironmental ExplorationSelf-ExplorationSocial SupportVocational Students

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