Longitudinal Relationship Between Vocational Self‐Concept Clarity and Proactive Career Behaviors of Higher Vocational Students: The Role of Career Outcome Expectations and Career Barriers Perception

ABSTRACT Introduction Developing a clear vocational self‐concept is a vital task in adolescent career development. Understanding and exploring one's vocational identity not only aids teenagers in forming positive career expectations but also serves as the foundation for engaging in proactive and rational career behaviors. Methods This study investigates the relationships among vocational self‐concept clarity, career outcome expectations, career barriers perception, and proactive career behaviors among Chinese higher vocational students. Three hundred and thirty‐six Chinese higher vocational students ( M ageT1 = 17.99, 213 female) were surveyed three times over the course of 1 year, with data analyzed using a cross‐lag model. Results (1) There is a significant positive correlation between vocational self‐concept clarity, career outcome expectations, and proactive career behaviors; (2) T2 career outcome expectations mediated the longitudinal relationship between T1 vocational self‐concept clarity and T3 proactive career behaviors; (3) T2 career barriers perception plays a moderating role in the relationship between T2 career outcome expectations and T3 proactive career behaviors, with this perception potentially weakening the positive effect of career outcome expectations on proactive career behaviors. Conclusions Vocational self‐concept clarity directly and indirectly drives proactive career behaviors in higher vocational students through career outcome expectations, validating Social Cognitive Career Theory. Career barriers perception weakens expectation‐behavior links, while career outcome expectations motivate proactive behaviors, their impact is significantly attenuated by perceived career barriers. Vocational systems must prioritize clarifying self‐concepts, fostering realistic expectations, and addressing structural barriers.