DOES THE ORIENTATION OF OTHER GROUPS MATTER? ETHNIC IDENTITY AS A CULTURAL RESOURCE AND CAREER ORIENTATION AMONG JAVANESE STUDENTS

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between ethnic identity, Other Group Orientation (OGO), and career orientation among Javanese students. This study employed a quantitative approach with a correlational design, involving 65 participants, all of whom were students. The PROCESS Macro Model 4 was used to analyze the direct and indirect effects between the variables. The results indicate that ethnic identity has a significant influence on career orientation and is positively related to OGO. However, OGO does not play a significant mediating role in the relationship between ethnic identity and career orientation. These findings emphasize the importance of ethnic identity as a psychological resource in career decision-making and suggest that its influence is direct and contextual, particularly in collectivist cultures such as Javanese society. Practical implications of the study include recommending that career counselling services in higher education institutions consider cultural identity aspects when designing more meaningful and culturally responsive interventions.