Abstract

This study aims to examine the predictability of emotional intelligence and five factor personality traits on career decision difficulties. The study group consisted of 432 students (246 women, 186 men) who participated in five different high schools in Adana and voluntarily participated in the study. Data collection tool were composed of Career Decision Difficulties Questionnaire, Emotional Intelligence Assessment Scale and Adjective Based Personality Scale. This study intends to identify the relationship between personality traits, emotional intelligence and career decision difficulties. To test the research hypotheses, a path model was developed to test causal relationships between the variables. In the model, the scores of the dimensions of career decision difficulty were used as indicators to create a latent construct. Emotional intelligence and five factor personality subscales were considered as observed variables emotional instability was found to be a positive predictor of career decision difficulty. However, extraversion and self-awareness were negative predictors of career difficulty.

Key words: Five factor personality, emotional iıntelligence, career decision difficulties, high school students.