Effects of Self‐Compassion and Social Support on Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual College Students' Positive Identity and Career Decision‐Making

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the serial mediating effects of self‐compassion and social support on the relationship between positive identity and career decision‐making self‐efficacy (CDMSE) among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) college students. A total of 222 LGB (109 bisexual, 113 lesbian/gay) students participated in the study. Results supported the mediating roles of self‐compassion and social support. Specifically, self‐compassion and social support sequentially mediated the relationship between positive identity and CDMSE, and the patterns of the sequence of the mediators were different between the bisexual and lesbian/gay groups. Implications for career counselors and future research are discussed.