AN INVESTIGATION INTO CAREER DECISION-MAKING AMONG FINAL YEAR PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN IBADAN: THE ROLES OF SELF-EFFICACY, PEER PRESSURE, AND SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCE

This study investigated the influence of self-efficacy, peer pressure, and social media on the career decision-making processes of final-year primary school pupils in Ibadan. A descriptive survey research design was employed, and data were gathered from a sample of 300 pupils selected through simple random sampling. Standardized instruments with acceptable reliability coefficients were used, including the Academic Self-Efficacy Scale (a = .75), Peer Pressure Scale (a = .79), Social Media Scale (α = .83), and Career Decision Scale (a = .83). The findings revealed statistically significant positive correlations between academic self-efficacy (r = .427, p < 0.05), peer pressure (r = .351, p < 0.05), and social media (r = .275, p < 0.05) and pupils' career decision-making. Regression analysis further showed that social media had the strongest positive predictive effect on career decisions (β = .415, t = 7.238, p < 0.05), followed by academic self-efficacy (β = .175, t = 3.001, p < 0.05) and peer pressure (β = .109, t = 1.832, p < 0.05). The study highlights the need for early, age-appropriate career guidance programs in primary schools. Such initiatives should aim to build pupils' confidence in their academic abilities while fostering media literacy skills and strategies for resisting negative peer influence, all of which can play a crucial role in shaping their emerging career interests and decisions.