The Effectiveness of Training Based on Rational-Emotional-Behavioral Therapy on Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy

Background: Career decision-making is a complex process and one of the most critical decisions of an individual which has long-lasting consequences on life in areas of psychological wellbeing, physical health, and financial status. The present research was designed and conducted by the aim of investigating the effectiveness of training based on rational-cognitive-behavioral therapy (REBT-based training) on career decision-making self-efficacy among personnel of Petroleum Company.
Methods: The present research was conducted by the quasi-experimental method and used a pretest-posttest-follow up with control group design. The statistical population of the current research was included all the organizational personnel of Pipelines and Telecommunication Company, north region, in the second half of 2017. The sample of the present research included 30 individuals from this population who, after their obtained scores in the questionnaire and on inclusion/exclusion criteria of the study, were selected by available sampling method and they were assigned into experiment and control groups (15 individuals per group) by random assignment method. The research tool was the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale of Betz, Klein, and Taylor, which was completed by all participants in pretest, posttest, and one-month follow up stages. REBT-based training was provided for the experiment group subjects in eight 90-minute sessions, while the participants of the control group received no intervention until the end of the follow-up stage. The research data were analyzed by covariance analysis with repeated measurements and Bonferroni post hoc test through SPSS version 20.
Results: Findings indicated that REBT-based training had a positive and significant effect on career decision-making self-efficacy and all its components (self-appraisal, career information, goal selection, planning, and problem-solving) in posttest and follow up stages (P<0.001).
Conclusion: According to the study results, it recommended that an REBT-based training package would provide for the personnel of organizations and institutions to improve their career decision-making self-efficacy.