Reducing anxiety about the future could help young people make career decisions

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-05-06 09:01

International

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Helping young people manage future worries and build courage could help support confident career choices, like choosing a course of study or a first job, according to international researchers. The team surveyed 462 people aged 18-29 about their career decision-making difficulties, and found people who worried about the future reported greater difficulty making career decisions. However, the team found psychological courage - the willingness to take action despite fear - was linked to fewer decision-making difficulties, particularly not feeling ready to decide and lacking information. The results suggest career decision problems are not only about planning or information, but also about managing anxiety and acting despite fear.

News release

From: The Royal Society

Future Anxiety, Psychological Courage, and Career Decision-Making Difficulties in Emerging Adults: A Variable-and Person-Centred Analysis

Royal Society Open Science

Many young adults feel stuck when choosing a course of study or a first job, especially when the future feels uncertain. In this study, people who worried about the future reported greater difficulty making career decisions. Psychological courage—the willingness to take action despite fear—was linked to fewer decision-making difficulties, particularly not feeling ready to decide and lacking information. This suggests career decision problems are not only about planning or information, but also about managing anxiety and acting despite fear. Helping young people manage future worries and build courage may support confident career choices in a changing labour market.

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Journal/
conference: Royal Society Open Science

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: University of Opole, Poland

Funder: This work was supported by institutional funds from the Institute of Psychology, University of Lodz, and the Institute of Psychology, Opole University.

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