{
  "abstract": "Algorithmic recommendation now shapes the career information university students see, yet whether raising students' understanding of these algorithms improves employment choices remains unclear. This study tested a dynamic bidirectional mediation model linking digital media literacy, career decision making self efficacy (CDMSE), and employment choices, with Algorithmic Awareness for Careers (AAC) specified as a distinct subdimension of digital media literacy. In a 2 × 2 factorial randomized controlled trial, 204 graduating undergraduates from three universities in southern China were assigned to Media Critical Literacy Training (MCLT), Career Algorithm Transparency Training (CATT), both, or neither; 192 completed four assessment waves ending 6 months after graduation. CATT mainly raised AAC (partial η2 = 0.128), MCLT mainly raised critical literacy (partial η2 = 0.096), and the two components jointly strengthened CDMSE. Parallel process latent growth modeling showed that AAC growth predicted CDMSE growth (β = 0.42), which in turn predicted later AAC [β = 0.28, 95% CI (0.13, 0.43)], and that CDMSE carried a significant indirect effect to a composite employment outcome [0.151, 95% CI (0.077, 0.238)]. Relative to the control condition, the combined condition was associated with better outcomes 6 months after graduation, including more document verified offers, an 18.1% higher starting salary, closer externally coded major job match, and greater employment satisfaction. The findings identify AAC as a trainable component of digital media literacy, empirically operationalize the bidirectional feedback assumed by social cognitive career theory, and support embedding algorithm transparency training in university career education.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "School of Finance, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, Dalian, Liaoning, China"
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 1,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Shuang Wu"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/cvtdgwetwnxss.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1963363",
  "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13736706/",
  "id": "cvtdgwetwnxss",
  "issns": [
    "1664-1078"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1963363",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Original Research"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "3304|Higher Education and Employability"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7223181970",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1963363/pdf",
  "pmcid": "PMC13736706",
  "pmid": "42991221",
  "published": "2026-10-22",
  "publisher": "Frontiers Media SA",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/cvtdgwetwnxss.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-09T12:22:06Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13736706",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1963363"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [],
  "title": "An experimental study on the mediating roles of career decision-making self-efficacy between digital media literacy and employment choices of university students",
  "title_text": "An experimental study on the mediating roles of career decision-making self-efficacy between digital media literacy and employment choices of university students",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-09T12:22:06Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/cvtdgwetwnxss",
  "venue": "Frontiers in Psychology",
  "versions": []
}