This single-group pretest-posttest pilot study evaluates the effect of a mock interview workshop, grounded in Self-Determination Theory, on career decision-making self-efficacy (CDMSE) and interview performance among first-year undergraduate nursing students in China. The 6-hour workshop consisted of four stages designed to support autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Participants (N=155) completed validated CDMSE scales and mock interview evaluations before and after the intervention.
The intervention was developed based on the intrinsic motivation component of Self-Determination Theory (SDT). It was delivered over two weeks, totaling 6 class-hours (45 minutes per class-hour), divided into four stages: (1) Activating Autonomy in Career Decision-Making (interactive lecture on interview skills); (2) Demonstrating Competence in Career Decision-Making (live mock interview with structured questions); (3) Fostering Peer Support in Career Decision-Making (small-group role-playing and peer discussion); (4) Reflective Rehearsal (recorded video self-introduction). Outcomes were assessed using the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale (CDMSE), Job Search Self-Efficacy Scale (JSSE), and a researcher-developed Mock Interview Evaluation Scale. The study was conducted between March and June 2025 at a university in China.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
155
This behavioral intervention is a structured mock interview workshop grounded in Self-Determination Theory (SDT), designed to enhance nursing students' career decision-making self-efficacy by supporting three basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The intervention is delivered over two consecutive weeks, totaling 6 class-hours (45 minutes per class-hour). The workshop consists of four stages: Stage 1 (45 min) - Activating Autonomy in Career Decision-Making: Interactive lecture covering interview attire, resume writing, and pre-interview preparation; simulated job postings are distributed. Stage 2 (90 min) - Demonstrating Competence in Career Decision-Making: Live mock interviews where students respond to structured questions from two interviewers; performance is evaluated using the Mock Interview Evaluation Scale. Stage 3 (90 min) - Fostering Peer Support in Career Decision-Making: Small-group role-playing (6 students per group) where students rotate roles
School of Nursing, China Medical University
Shenyang, Liaoning, China
Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy (CDMSE)
Career decision-making self-efficacy is assessed using the Chinese version of the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale (Peng \& Long, 2001). This 39-item scale measures confidence in completing career-related tasks across five subscales: Self-Appraisal (6 items), Occupational Information Gathering (9 items), Goal Selection (9 items), Planning (8 items), and Problem-Solving (7 items). Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("no confidence at all") to 5 ("complete confidence"). Total scores range from 39 to 195, with higher scores indicating greater career decision-making self-efficacy. The scale demonstrated excellent internal consistency in this study (Cronbach's α = 0.912).
Time frame: Baseline; Week 2
Job Search Self-Efficacy (JSSE)
Job search self-efficacy is assessed using the 3-item Job Search Self-Efficacy Scale (Trougakos et al., 2007; Chinese version by Zhang, 2018). Items evaluate confidence in looking for job vacancies, identifying appropriate positions, and preparing a resume. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 ("strongly disagree") to 5 ("strongly agree"). Total scores range from 3 to 15, with higher scores indicating greater job search self-efficacy. The scale showed good internal consistency in this study (Cronbach's α = 0.83).
Time frame: Baseline; Week 2
Mock Interview Performance
Mock interview performance is assessed using a researcher-developed 10-item Mock Interview Evaluation Scale. The scale evaluates three domains: Professional Demeanor (1 item), Verbal Communication (2 items), and Self-Recommendation Content (7 items). Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 ("poor") to 5 ("excellent"), with weighted scores based on expert-assigned coefficients. Total scores range from 10 to 50, with higher scores indicating better interview performance. Content validity was established with a Scale-level Content Validity Index of 0.824, and internal consistency was acceptable (Cronbach's α = 0.795).
Time frame: Baseline; Week 2
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