Skip to main content
Log in

Anxiety and self-esteem as mediators of the relation between family communication and indecisiveness in adolescence

  • Published:
International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this study, we explored the unique and common contributions of anxiety, self-esteem, and family communication on indecisiveness among adolescents. Three hundred and fifty pupils from 13 to 16 years of age completed self-report measures on indecisiveness, quality of family communication, trait anxiety, and self-esteem. The findings in this study showed that students’ indecisiveness is predicted by family communication mediated by anxiety and self-esteem. These results have important implications for practice as it stresses the importance of anxiety and self-esteem. Nevertheless, the counselors could also focus on enhancing relationship-building skills by introducing the adolescents’ career formation as an adolescent–parent joint project.

Résumé

L’anxiété et l’estime de soi comme médiateurs de la relation entre communication au sein de la famille et indécision chronique à l’adolescence. Dans cette étude, nous avons exploré les contributions uniques et communes de l’anxiété, de l’estime de soi et de la communication au sein de la famille sur l’indécision chronique auprès d’adolescents. Trois cent cinquante élèves âgés de 13 à 16 ans ont rempli des mesures d’auto-évaluation de l’indécision chronique, de la qualité de la communication familiale, de l’anxiété-trait et de l’estime de soi. Les résultats de cette étude ont montré que l’indécision des étudiants est expliquée par la communication au sein de la famille et que ce lien est médiatisé par l’anxiété et l’estime de soi. Ces résultats ont des implications importantes pour la pratique car ils soulignent l’importance de l’anxiété et l’estime de soi. Néanmoins, les conseillers pourraient également se concentrer sur l’amélioration des compétences de construction relationnelle en introduisant la formation professionnelle des adolescents comme un projet conjoint adolescent-parent.

Zusammenfassung

Angst und Selbstwertgefühl als Mediatoren der Beziehung zwischen Kommunikation in der Familie und Unentschlossenheit in der Adoleszenz. In dieser Studie untersuchten wir die spezifischen und gemeinsamen Beiträge von Angst, Selbstwertgefühl und Kommunikation in der Familie auf Unentschlossenheit unter Jugendlichen. Dreihundertfünfzig Schüler, zwischen 13 bis 16 Jahre alt, füllten Skalen zur Unentschlossenheit, Qualität der Kommunikation in der Familie, Ängstlichkeit und Selbstwertgefühl aus. Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie zeigten, dass Unentschlossenheit der Schüler von Kommunikation in der Familie vorhergesagt wird, vermittelt durch Angst und Selbstwertgefühl. Diese Ergebnisse haben wichtige Implikationen für die Praxis, da sie die Bedeutung von Angst und Selbstwertgefühl hervorheben. Dennoch könnten sich die Beratungspersonen durch die Einführung der beruflichen Bildung der Jugendlichen als ein gemeinsames Projekt von Jugendliche-Elternteil auch auf die Verbesserung der Fähigkeiten zum Aufbau von Beziehungen konzentrieren.

Resumen

Ansiedad y Autoestima como Mediadores de la Relación entre Comunicación Familiar e Indecisión en la Adolescencia. En este estudio, exploramos las contribuciones únicas y comunes de la ansiedad, la autoestima y la comunicación de familia en la indecisión de los adolescentes. Tres y cientos cincuenta alumnos entre los 13 y 16 años completaron auto-evaluaciones sobre la indecisión, la calidad de comunicación familiar, los rasgos de ansiedad y la autoestima. Los resultados en este estudio muestran que la indecisión en los estudiantes es prevista por la comunicación familiar mediada por la ansiedad y la autoestima. Estos resultados tiene importantes implicaciones para la practica ya que destacan la importancia de la ansiedad y la autoestima. Sin embargo, los consejeros podrían también focalizarse en el aumento de sus habilidades para construir relaciones mediante la introducción de la formación profesional para adolescentes como un proyecto conjunto del adolescente-padre.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bacanli, F. (2006). Personality characteristics as predictors of personal indecisiveness. Journal of Career Development, 32, 320–332. doi:10.1177/0894845305282941.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baiocco, R., Cacioppo, M., Laghi, F., & Tafà, M. (2012). Factorial and construct validity of FACES IV among Italian adolescents. Journal of Child and Family Studies. doi:10.1007/s10826-012-9658-1.

  • Barnes, H., & Olson, D. (1985). Parent adolescent communication and the circumplex model. Child Development, 56, 438–447. doi:10.2307/1129732.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Byrne, B. M. (2001). Structural equation modeling with AMOS: Basic concepts, applications, and programming (pp. 79–88). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.

  • Creed, P. A., Patton, W., & Bartrum, D. (2004). Internal and external barriers, cognitive style, and the career development variables of focus and indecision. Journal of Career Development, 30, 277–294. doi:10.1023/B:JOCD.0000025116.17855.ea.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Di Fabio, A., Palazzeschi, L., Asulin-Peretz, L., & Gati, I. (2012). Career indecision versus indecisiveness: Associations with personality traits and emotional intelligence. Journal of Career Assessment, 21, 42–56. doi:10.1177/1069072712454698.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferrari, J. R., & Olivette, M. J. (1993). Perceptions of parental control and the development of indecision among late adolescent females. Adolescence, 28(112), 963–970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Germeijs, V., & De Boeck, P. (2002). A measurement scale for indecisiveness and its relationship to career indecision and other types of indecision. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 18, 113–122. doi:10.1027//1015-5759.18.2.113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Germeijs, V., & Verschueren, K. (2007). Educational choices in adolescence: The decision-making process, antecedents, and consequences. In V. B. Skorikov & W. Patton (Eds.), Career development in childhood and adolescence (pp. 203–219). Rotterdam, The Netherlands: Sense.

    Google Scholar 

  • Germeijs, V., & Verschueren, K. (2011). Indecisiveness and big five personality factors: Relationship and specificity. Personality and Individual Differences, 50, 1023–1028. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2011.01.017.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Germeijs, V., Verschueren, K., & Soenens, B. (2006). Indecisiveness and high school students’ career decision-making process: Longitudinal associations and the mediational role of anxiety. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 53, 397–410. doi:10.1037/0022-0167.53.4.397.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guzzo, G., Lo Cascio, V., & Pace, U. (2013). The role of individual and relational characteristics on alcohol consumption among Italian adolescents: A discriminant function analysis. Child Indicators Research. doi:10.1007/s12187-013-9188-4.

  • Guzzo, G., Lo Cascio, V., Pace, U., & Zappulla, C. (2013). Psychometric properties and convergent validity of the dependency-oriented and achievement-oriented psychological control scale (DAPCS) with Italian adolescents. Journal of Child and Family Studies. doi:10.1007/s10826-013-9786-2.

  • Hu, L. T., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 6, 1–55. doi:10.1080/10705519909540118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, L. N. (1999). Family communication patterns and personality characteristics. Communication Quarterly, 47, 230–243. doi:10.1080/01463379909370136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, S., Bijstra, J., Oostra, L., & Bosma, H. (1998). Adolescents’ perceptions of communication with parents relative to specific aspects of relationships with parents and personal development. Journal of Adolescence, 21, 305–322. doi:10.1006/jado.1998.0155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lo Presti, A., & Drammis, L. M. (2012). Un contributo alla validazione italiana del Career Factors Inventory [A contribution to the Italian validation of the Career Factors Inventory]. Counseling-Giornale Italiano di Ricerca e Applicazioni, 2, 217–231.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marta, E. (1997). Parent–adolescent interactions and psychosocial risk in adolescents: An analysis of communication support and gender. Journal of Adolescence, 20, 473–487. doi:10.1006/jado.1997.0103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCartney, K., & Phillips, D. (Eds.). (2006). The handbook of early childhood development. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miu, A. C., Heilman, R. M., & Houser, D. (2008). Anxiety impairs decision-making: Psychophysiological evidence from an Iowa Gambling Task. Biological Psychology, 77, 353–358. doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2007.11.010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakao, K., Takaishi, J., Tatsuta, K., Katayama, H., Iwase, M., Yorifuji, K., et al. (2000). The influences of family environment on personality traits. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 54, 91–95. doi:10.1046/j.1440-1819.2000.00642.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nota, L., Ferrari, L., Solberg, V. S. H., & Soresi, S. (2007). Career search self-efficacy, family support, and career indecision with Italian youth. Journal of Career Assessment, 15, 181–193. doi:10.1177/1069072706298019.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olson, D. H. (2011). FACES IV and the circumplex model: Validation study. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 3, 64–80. doi:10.1111/j.1752-0606.2009.00175.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olson, D. H., & Barnes, H. L. (2004). Family communication. In D. H. Olson, D. M. Gorall, & J. Tiesel (Eds.), FACES IV package. Minneapolis, MN: LifeInnovations, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olson, D. H., & Gorall, D. M. (2006). Faces IV and the circumplex model. Minneapolis, MN: Life Innovations.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pace, U., & Zappulla, C. (2009). Identity processes and quality of emotional autonomy: The contribution of two developmental tasks on middle-adolescents’ subjective well-being. Identity: An International Journal of Theory and Research, 9, 323–340. doi:10.1080/15283480903422798.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patalano, A. L., & LeClair, Z. (2011). The influence of group decision making on indecisiveness-related decisional confidence. Judgment and Decision Making, 6(2), 163–175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patalano, A. L., & Wengrovitz, S. M. (2006). Cross-cultural exploration of the indecisiveness scale: A comparison of Chinese and American men and women. Personality and Individual Differences, 41, 813–824. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2006.03.023.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pedrabissi, L., & Santinello, M. (1989). Nuova versione italiana dello S.T.A.I.forma Y [New Italian version of the S.T.A.I. form Y]. Firenze, IT: Organizzazioni Speciali.

  • Prezza, M., Trombaccia, F. R., & Armento, L. (1997). La scala dell’autostima di Rosenberg. Traduzione e validazione italiana [The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale: Italian translation and validation]. Bollettino di Psicologia Applicata, 223, 35–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pychyl, T. A., Coplan, R. J., & Reid, P. A. M. (2002). Parenting and procrastination: Gender differences in the relations between procrastination, parenting style and self-worth in early adolescence. Personality and Individual Differences, 33, 271–285. doi:10.1016/S0191-8869(01)99151-9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rassin, E. (2007). A psychological theory of indecisiveness. Netherlands Journal of Psychology, 63, 1–11. doi:10.1007/BF03061056.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rassin, E., & Muris, P. (2005a). Indecisiveness and the interpretation of ambiguous situations. Personality and Individual Differences, 39, 1285–1291. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2005.06.006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rassin, E., & Muris, P. (2005b). To be or not to be … indecisive: Gender differences, correlations with obsessive-compulsive complaints, and behavioral manifestation. Personality and Individual Differences, 38, 1175–1181. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2004.07.014.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, J. E., Gotlib, I. H., & Kassel, J. D. (1996). Adult attachment security and symptoms of depression: The mediating roles of dysfunctional attitudes and low self-esteem. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70, 310–320. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.70.2.310.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosario, P., Costa, M., Núñez, J. C., González-Pienda, J., Solano, P., & Valle, A. (2009). Academic procrastination: Associations with personal, school, and family variables. The Spanish Journal of Psychology, 12, 118–127. doi:10.1017/S11387416-00001530.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saka, N., Gati, I., & Kelly, K. R. (2008). Emotional and personality-related aspects of career decision-making difficulties. Journal of Career Assessment, 16, 403–424. doi:10.1177/1069072708318900.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santos, P. J. (2001). Predictors of generalized indecision among Portuguese secondary school students. Journal of Career Assessment, 9, 381–396. doi:10.1177/106907270100900405.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schimmenti, A. (2012). Unveiling the hidden self: Developmental trauma and pathological shame. Psychodynamic Practice, 18, 195–211. doi:10.1080/14753634.2012.664873.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spielberger, C. D., Gorsuch, R. L., Lushene, R., Vagg, P. R., & Jacobs, G. A. (1983). Manual for the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vondracek, F. W., Hostetler, M., Schulenberg, J. E., & Shimizu, K. (1990). Dimensions of career indecision. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 37, 98–106. doi:10.1037/0022-0167.37.1.98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, R. A., Marshall, S., Domene, J. F., Arato-Bolivar, J., Hayoun, R., Marshall, E., … Valach, L. (2006). Relationships, communication, and career in the parent–adolescent projects of families with and without challenges. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 68, 1–23. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2005.05.001.

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Vincenza Blunda, Mario Noto, Elena Scrima, and Marisa Ribaudo for their help in the collection and loading of data. We also wish to thank all of the instructors and students who participated in this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Valentina Lo Cascio.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lo Cascio, V., Guzzo, G., Pace, F. et al. Anxiety and self-esteem as mediators of the relation between family communication and indecisiveness in adolescence. Int J Educ Vocat Guidance 13, 135–149 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-013-9243-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-013-9243-1

Keywords

Navigation