Introduction. Indecision is one of the most common problems addressed in career counseling and a central construct in vocational psychology. Rather than a single issue, indecision represents a broad category of difficulties in choosing, committing, or pursuing a career path. To date, numerous studies have attempted to classify individuals into subtypes of indecision using cluster analysis. However, past studies often resulted in inconsistent findings, presenting limited diagnostic utility.


Purpose. This registered systematic literature review sought to synthesize clustering studies of career indecision to describe the populations studied, the measures used, and the recurring subtypes emerging in clustering studies on indecision.


Method. Following the PRISMA framework, we systematically searched multiple databases for indecision clustering papers. Eligible publications were coded for their metadata, sample characteristics, constructs, measures, analytic approach, and cluster solutions. Then, a panel of experts evaluated the identified subtypes across studies and assessed the degree of overlap between them.


Results. Most studies focused on high school and university students, with working populations and non-Western samples underrepresented. Indicators predominantly included indecision measures (e.g., CDP, CDS), but also measures of anxiety, self-esteem, and locus of control. Methodologically, early work favored hierarchical and k-means clustering, while recent studies increasingly utilized latent class/profile analyses. Across studies, 2-7 subtypes were reported, including four recurring subtypes characterized by low information, chronic, internal conflicts, and external conflicts.


Conclusion. Across studies and cultural contexts, four consistent subtypes of career indecision emerge despite methodological differences. These include low information (limited knowledge of self or career options), chronic (persistent indecision across time and situations), internal conflicts (struggles linked to ambivalence, values, or identity), and external conflicts (barriers stemming from family, social, or contextual pressures). Identifying these stable subtypes enhances the conceptual clarity of career indecision and provides a stronger basis for advancing theory, assessment, and tailored counseling interventions.