We examined the relationships between Motivation for Learning (ML), Proactive Learning (PL), and Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy (CDMSE) among undergraduates, focusing on the mediating effect of their Social Skills (SS).

We conducted a questionnaire survey of students in the humanities faculty of four private universities in western Japan. A total of 494 students participated. Three findings became clear about the relationships between ML, PL, SS, and CDMSE as a result of our study.

1) There is a positive relationship between ML, PL, and CDMSE.

2) There is a positive relationship between ML, PL, and SS.

3) SS has a mediating effect on ML, PL, and CDMSE.

These findings support the explanation of the effects of ML and PL on CDMSE, including the mediating effect of SS. In particular, the results of our experiment clearly show that the roles of ML, PL, and SS in Career Development research for undergraduates should be examined.

This thesis discusses the significance of an approach to transition research that focuses on the interaction between the individual and society, to inform a greater understanding of the individual’s development throughout the life. Previous conversion studies have used either a developmental or accidental approach to focus on inner psychological processes involved in life transitions, neglecting their social and cultural dimensions. Throughout these studies, the aspect of recent results of the narrative theory approach to qualitative research has been neglected. This study introduces an approach that focuses on the interaction between the individual and society. The approach suggests that when transitions are regarded as a story or sign, they can inform a deeper understanding of career complexity in the present age, and of how transitions spur or prevent individual development. This approach makes an important contribution to the development of transition research. Future research will investigate educational methods based upon this approach.