Abstract

This study examined the relationship between children’s career development characteristics (curiosity/ exploration, information, key figures, interests, locus of control, time perspective, self-concept, and planfulness), life satisfaction, and state anxiety. The participants were 334 students from 5th to 8th grades. The data was obtained by Childhood Career Development Scale, Brief Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale, State Anxiety Inventory for Children, and Demographic Information Form. Results revealed that there were positive correlations between career developmet dimensions and life satisfaction, whereas negative correlations were observed with state anxiety. Furthermore, all eight dimensions of children’s career development significantly predicted life satisfaction and state anxiety. Specifically; curiosity/exploration, planning, and self-concept were the significant predictors of life satisfaction whereas curiosity/exploration and self-concept were the predictors of state anxiety.

Key words: Children, career development, life satisfaction, state anxiety