Differences in Career Decision-Making and Related Factors Between Adolescent Migrant Returnees and Adolescents Without Migration Experience

Career development and decision-making are considered challenging processes among young migrants. Therefore, it is important to analyze the factors related to career decision-making among adolescent migrant returnees and adolescents without migration experience. Accordingly, this study aimed to compare the career decision-making status, parental support, school support, peer support, career self-efficacy, career outcome expectations, career goals, and the various dimensions of career maturity of migrant returnees with those of individuals without prior migration experience. The study also aimed to analyze the relationship and prediction level of career decision-making status vis-à-vis the aforementioned factors for both groups. A series of standardized measurement instruments was administered to 400 high school students in Kosovo. The results showed that most participants had chosen a career path, while those with migration experience showed higher scores regarding their confidence in their decision. Additionally, migrant returnees exhibited higher scores on all factors, compared with participants without migration experience. These differences were significant for parental support, school support, cognitive constructs, and career maturity. The association between the variables was higher among migrant returnees than among participants without migration experience. Parental support, school support, career self-efficacy, and all the dimensions of career maturity were predictive of career decision-making among migrant returnees. The study results are discussed within the context of the career decision-making process of young migrant returnees.