The role of self-esteem in the relationship between ego identity and career aspiration in adolescents

English: Choosing a career is a key aspect of transition for adolescents. In fact, South African adolescents experience unique challenges with regard to their career aspirations. In the midst of the unpredictability of careers, adolescents are expected to show increased selfdirectedness based on a well-developed ego identity. The formation of ego identity is one of the most important psychological tasks during adolescence. Indeed, adolescence is a critical stage characterised by intense exploration of ego identity. In the same breath, the development of self-esteem provides adolescents with a structure for deeper self-understanding – a crucial factor in determining individuals’ career aspirations. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between ego identity and career aspiration in adolescents. Furthermore, the possible mediating or moderating roles of self-esteem and gender in this relationship were investigated. A non-experimental type, quantitative approach with a correlational design was used in this study. Participants were recruited using non-probability, convenience-sampling methods. The final sample consisted of 336 adolescents aged between 14 and 17 years, of which 188 (56%) were females and 148 (44%) were males. The data for this study were collected using the Ego Identity Process Questionnaire (EIPQ), the Vocational Identity Measure (VIM), and the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSES). The moderating role of gender was investigated first before proceeding with further analyses. Gender did not play a significant moderating role in the relationship between ego identity and career aspiration. The relationship between the measured variables was tested using Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient. Statistically significant positive correlations between ego identity, career aspiration, and self-esteem were found. A moderated hierarchical regression analysis was completed to determine the moderating or mediating role of self-esteem in the relationship between ego identity and career aspiration, with no statistically significant results. According to these findings, a well-developed ego identity and a favourable self-esteem contribute significantly to career aspiration during adolescence.