Career Distress Among First-Generation College Students: A Psychology of Working Lens.

The article examines predictors of career distress among first-generation college students (FGCSs) in Türkiye, using the Psychology of Working Theory (PWT) as a framework. The study found that economic constraints, experiences of marginalization, work volition (the perceived freedom to make career choices), and future decent work (FDW) perceptions directly influence career distress, with work volition mediating the effects of economic constraints and marginalization on FDW perceptions and career distress. The structural model was consistent across different university years, explaining over half the variance in career distress. The findings highlight the importance of addressing structural barriers and enhancing work volition to reduce career distress among FGCSs, with implications for targeted interventions and policy support in higher education contexts.