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14 pages, 675 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Relationship Between Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction and Career Adaptability Among University Students: The Roles of Grit and Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy

by Min Xu, Haidong Lu, Jinlan Fu, Hairong Zhu and Yingfang Zhao

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 167; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020167 - 3 Feb 2025

Viewed by 105

Abstract

Enhancing the career adaptability of university students is a practical necessity for addressing the challenge of student employment. This study explores the relationship between basic psychological needs satisfaction and career adaptability among university students based on Basic Psychological Need Theory and Social Cognitive [...] Read more.

Enhancing the career adaptability of university students is a practical necessity for addressing the challenge of student employment. This study explores the relationship between basic psychological needs satisfaction and career adaptability among university students based on Basic Psychological Need Theory and Social Cognitive Career Theory and constructs a corresponding chain mediation model. A survey was conducted among 635 university students from six provinces across China. The results indicate the following findings: (1) grit partially mediates the relationship between basic psychological needs satisfaction and career adaptability among university students; (2) career decision-making self-efficacy also partially mediates this relationship; and (3) grit and career decision-making self-efficacy serve as chain mediators in the relationship between basic psychological needs satisfaction and career adaptability. This study provides empirical support and significant guidance for enhancing the career adaptability development of university students. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue External Influences in Adolescents’ Career Development)

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19 pages, 700 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring Perception Types of Humanities Job Seekers in Employment Preparation: Implications for Career Guidance

by Je Hwa Jang and Song Yi Lee

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 151; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020151 - 30 Jan 2025

Viewed by 446

Abstract

This study uses Q methodology to examine the perception types of humanities majors during their employment preparation process. With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation technologies, traditional career paths for humanities majors are shrinking, leading to intensified job mismatches, psychological [...] Read more.

This study uses Q methodology to examine the perception types of humanities majors during their employment preparation process. With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation technologies, traditional career paths for humanities majors are shrinking, leading to intensified job mismatches, psychological anxiety, and social bias. The study identified four perception types: (1) Social Support for Career Challenges, which emphasises the need for emotional and institutional support to overcome career-related anxiety and biases, (2) Building Practical Career Skills, which focuses on enhancing employability through practical job experience and technical skill development, (3) Graduation-related Career Constraints, which highlights the limitations caused by academic graduation requirements, calling for structural reforms and expanded certification support, and (4) Proactive Job Preparation, which reflects active efforts to adapt to technological advancements and competitive job market demands by emphasising digital skill acquisition and practical education. We analyse each type’s characteristics and support needs, offering valuable insights into how to address these challenges. The findings provide policy implications for career guidance and employment support, aiming to improve the employment success rates and job stability of humanities graduates. By offering empirical evidence for tailored support programmes, this study contributes practical recommendations to prepare humanities majors for the evolving job market. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue External Influences in Adolescents’ Career Development)

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20 pages, 1163 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Becoming a Researcher: An Empirical Study on the Factors Influencing Chinese PhD Students’ Research Career Intentions

by Xingqi Luo, Jie Yin, Yang Zou, Xianwei Liu, Wanli Ma and Yichu Deng

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020123 - 24 Jan 2025

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Abstract

Increasing the attractiveness of research careers for PhD students has been a key objective of science, technology, and innovation policies worldwide. This study draws on an expanded career construction theory framework to examine the effects of proactive personality, employability social capital, and career [...] Read more.

Increasing the attractiveness of research careers for PhD students has been a key objective of science, technology, and innovation policies worldwide. This study draws on an expanded career construction theory framework to examine the effects of proactive personality, employability social capital, and career adaptability on PhD students’ research career intentions as well as the moderating role of gender in this structural model. We collected data from 795 Chinese PhD students at 10 universities via an online questionnaire survey. Structural equation modeling analysis revealed that proactive personality had no significant direct effect on research career intentions; however, it could influence research career intentions indirectly via the separate and chain mediating effects of employability social capital and career adaptability. In addition, gender was shown to moderate the relationship between employability social capital and research career intentions. The theoretical and practical implications of this research are highlighted, and recommendations for future research are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue External Influences in Adolescents’ Career Development)

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13 pages, 672 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“Walking with Dreams”: The Categories of Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy and Its Influence on Learning Engagement of Senior High School Students

by Xuejun Liu, Xiongjie Mei and Guojun Ji

Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(12), 1174; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14121174 - 8 Dec 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1194 | Correction

Abstract

Career decision-making self-efficacy is a key factor influencing high school students’ ability to make informed choices. It is closely associated with their professional interests, learning engagement, and academic performance. This study aims to explore the latent categories of career decision-making self-efficacy among Chinese [...] Read more.

Career decision-making self-efficacy is a key factor influencing high school students’ ability to make informed choices. It is closely associated with their professional interests, learning engagement, and academic performance. This study aims to explore the latent categories of career decision-making self-efficacy among Chinese high school students and analyze the differences in learning engagement across students with different types of career decision-making self-efficacy. A convenience sampling method was employed to recruit 510 Chinese high school students as participants. A questionnaire survey was conducted using the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale and the Learning Engagement Scale. The validity of the questionnaire was analyzed using Amos 23.0, descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were performed with SPSS 26.0, and a latent profile model was constructed using Mplus 8.0. The results indicate that there are four latent categories of career decision-making self-efficacy among high school students. In terms of learning engagement levels, the categories are ranked from highest to lowest as follows: high career decision-making self-efficacy type, lack of external exploration type, lack of internal exploration type, and low career decision-making self-efficacy type. Students with high and low career decision-making self-efficacy demonstrated significantly higher levels of learning engagement compared to those categorized as lacking external or internal exploration. Therefore, the design of career education curricula for high school students should focus on enhancing career decision-making self-efficacy to stimulate their intrinsic motivation for learning. Differences among various student types should be acknowledged, allowing for tailored and individualized instruction. Additionally, efforts should be made to strengthen integrated career guidance that links academics, career interests, and future professions, guiding all stakeholders to shift away from entrenched practices of “exam-oriented education” and utilitarian perspectives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue External Influences in Adolescents’ Career Development)

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23 pages, 901 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Effect Mechanism of Career-Specific Parental Support Promoting Meaning in Life of Chinese Higher Vocational College Students

by Huadi Wang, Jiawen Liu, Chunyu Li, Anqi Fang and Gongjing Wang

Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(12), 1172; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14121172 - 6 Dec 2024

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Abstract

Adolescent students’ meaning in life is an important topic of research in positive psychology and educational psychology. Meaning in life is of outstanding value to the whole career development of Chinese higher vocational college students (CHVCS), and parental behaviors have a profound impact [...] Read more.

Adolescent students’ meaning in life is an important topic of research in positive psychology and educational psychology. Meaning in life is of outstanding value to the whole career development of Chinese higher vocational college students (CHVCS), and parental behaviors have a profound impact on CHVCS’ meaning in life. In order to explore the mechanism of the role of career-specific parental support in promoting CHVCS’ meaning in life from the perspective of career, this study was based on career construction theory (CCT) and investigated 2498 CHVCS. The results showed that (1) career-specific parental support could directly and positively influence meaning in life; (2) core self-evaluations, career exploration, and career adaptability individually played a partially mediating effect in the relationship between career-specific parental support and meaning in life; (3) “core self-evaluations + career exploration”, “core self-evaluations + career adaptability”, “career exploration + career adaptability”, and “core self-evaluations + career exploration + career adaptability” play a partial chain mediating effect in the relationship between career-specific parental support and meaning in life. This study contributes to meaning in life in CHVCS, enriches career-related research based on CCT, and has important implications for career counseling from a construct perspective. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue External Influences in Adolescents’ Career Development)

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13 pages, 458 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Predicting the Turnover of Graduates Using an Enhanced Random Forest Model

by Min Liu, Bo Yang and Yuhang Song

Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(7), 562; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14070562 - 4 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1158

Abstract

The frequent turnover of college graduates is a key factor leading to the frictional unemployment and structural unemployment of youth, which are important research fields concerned with pedagogy, sociology, and management; however, there is little research on the prediction of college graduates’ turnover. [...] Read more.

The frequent turnover of college graduates is a key factor leading to the frictional unemployment and structural unemployment of youth, which are important research fields concerned with pedagogy, sociology, and management; however, there is little research on the prediction of college graduates’ turnover. Therefore, this study investigated the turnover status of 17,268 college graduates from 52 universities in China, constructed and optimized a random forest model for predicting the turnover of college graduates, and analyzed the influencing mechanism of college graduates’ turnover and the importance of influencing factors. The enhanced random forest model could deal with the unbalanced data and has a higher prediction accuracy as well as stronger generalization ability in predicting the turnover of college graduates. Individual background variables, job characteristic variables, and work environment variables are all important factors influencing whether college graduates resign or not. The top five factors that affect the turnover of college graduates by more than 10% are income level, job satisfaction degree, job opportunities, and job matching degree. The conclusion of this study is conducive to improving the accuracy of turnover prediction, systematically exploring the influencing factors of college graduates’ turnover, and effectively guaranteeing the overall stability of youth employment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue External Influences in Adolescents’ Career Development)

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14 pages, 1769 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Factors Affecting Sustainability-Related Career Expectations among Engineering Undergraduates in China: An Empirical Study Based on a Modified College Impact Model

by Wenjing Yuan, Yonghong Ma, Yichu Deng and Xianwei Liu

Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(5), 409; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14050409 - 14 May 2024

Viewed by 1510

Abstract

The international engineering education community has reached a consensus regarding the need to enhance engineering students’ awareness of and capability to provide sustainable services in their future careers. Based on a modified college impact model, this study analyzed the impacts of curricular emphasis, [...] Read more.

The international engineering education community has reached a consensus regarding the need to enhance engineering students’ awareness of and capability to provide sustainable services in their future careers. Based on a modified college impact model, this study analyzed the impacts of curricular emphasis, curricular instruction, and sustainability-related career self-efficacy on the sustainability-related career expectations of engineering students and investigated the moderating effects of gender on the relationships among the research variables. The results show that both curricular emphasis and curricular instruction have direct positive effects on the sustainability-related career expectations of engineering students; sustainability-related career self-efficacy plays a partial mediating role in this process; and gender significantly moderates the influence of curricular emphasis and curricular instruction on sustainability-related career expectations. The findings of this study provide empirical evidence that can be used by higher education institutions and engineering educators to enhance the belief of engineering students in their ability to solve sustainability-related issues in their future careers and promote the diversification of engineering education. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue External Influences in Adolescents’ Career Development)

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14 pages, 277 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Personal Evaluation and Social Support on Career Expectations of College Students

by Rui Wang, Mengru Wang and Georgi V. Georgiev

Behav. Sci. 2023, 13(12), 992; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13120992 - 30 Nov 2023

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Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing career expectations, determine the influence of college students’ personal ability on personal evaluation in the process of gaining employment, and further explore the impact of personal evaluation and social support on career expectations. This study [...] Read more.

This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing career expectations, determine the influence of college students’ personal ability on personal evaluation in the process of gaining employment, and further explore the impact of personal evaluation and social support on career expectations. This study used a random sampling method to administer questionnaires to final-year undergraduates majoring in the liberal arts, science, art, and sports at two Chinese universities. Career expectations were positively correlated with satisfaction. The preferred employer for graduates is a school. In selecting a career, college students believed that exerting their talents was most important. Personal evaluations had a significant effect on self-development in career expectations. The level of social support had a significant effect on prestige and welfare stability in career expectations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue External Influences in Adolescents’ Career Development)

13 pages, 888 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Career Education Skills and Career Adaptability among College Students in China: The Mediating Role of Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy

by Xinqiao Liu, Xinyuan Zhang, Yiming Dang and Wenjuan Gao

Behav. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 780; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13090780 - 19 Sep 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 6627

Abstract

In the past, the shift in career patterns and the unprecedented disruptions caused by events such as COVID-19 have posed notable challenges for job seekers. This holds particularly true for college students who are preparing to enter the workforce. In this context, enhancing [...] Read more.

In the past, the shift in career patterns and the unprecedented disruptions caused by events such as COVID-19 have posed notable challenges for job seekers. This holds particularly true for college students who are preparing to enter the workforce. In this context, enhancing career adaptability plays a vital role in shaping their career development. The primary objective of this research was to investigate the relationship between career education skills and career adaptability among 273 undergraduate students in China. Additionally, the study aimed to explore the mediating effect of career decision-making self-efficacy in shaping this relationship. The findings of the correlation analysis indicate a significant positive correlation between career education skills and career adaptability. Moreover, the results of the mediation model revealed that career education skills significantly contribute to improving career adaptability along with the mediating effect of college students’ self-efficacy in making career decisions. This study suggests that universities should prioritize the development and expansion of career education initiatives. They should not only help establish clear career goals for college students but also cultivate a positive and flexible career outlook to assist them in better adapting to various changes that may arise throughout their career journeys. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue External Influences in Adolescents’ Career Development)

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9 pages, 879 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Career Calling, Courage, Flourishing and Satisfaction with Life in Italian University Students

by Anna Parola, Andrea Zammitti and Jenny Marcionetti

Behav. Sci. 2023, 13(4), 345; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13040345 - 20 Apr 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2288

Abstract

Career calling is defined as a positive resource promoting vocational development and well-being. The present study focuses on the relationships between career calling, courage and two indicators of well-being, i.e., flourishing and satisfaction with life. The sample consisted of 306 Italian university students [...] Read more.

Career calling is defined as a positive resource promoting vocational development and well-being. The present study focuses on the relationships between career calling, courage and two indicators of well-being, i.e., flourishing and satisfaction with life. The sample consisted of 306 Italian university students (118 males and 188 females) ranging from 18 to 30 years of age. A structural equation modeling (SEM) approach with latent variables was adopted. The results showed that courage plays a mediating role between career calling and well-being indicators. In light of these results, suggestions on the practical implications for career interventions to support university students are also addressed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue External Influences in Adolescents’ Career Development)

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15 pages, 485 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Individual and Contextual Factors on the Vocational Choices of Adolescents and Their Impact on Well-Being

by Stefania Fantinelli, Ciro Esposito, Leonardo Carlucci, Pierpaolo Limone and Francesco Sulla

Behav. Sci. 2023, 13(3), 233; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13030233 - 7 Mar 2023

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 5740

Abstract

Adolescents who have to make decisions regarding their future career or academic path can be greatly influenced by parental expectations and other individual and contextual factors. The aim of this study is to explore the impact of adolescent–parent career congruence on adolescents’ well-being [...] Read more.

Adolescents who have to make decisions regarding their future career or academic path can be greatly influenced by parental expectations and other individual and contextual factors. The aim of this study is to explore the impact of adolescent–parent career congruence on adolescents’ well-being and future intention to enroll in a university course. The recruitment of participants took place through a combination of convenience sampling and snowball sampling. A sample of 142 high school students who are managing their decisions for the future completed an online questionnaire. Data were analyzed through a path analysis (SEM) with observed variables, and different indices were evaluated to check the model goodness of fit. The data show that congruence with parents’ wishes has a significant effect on academic motivation, work hope and mattering, which in turn have a positive and significant effect on both future intentions to undertake university studies and on the participants’ occupational well-being. In line with past studies, our results demonstrate correlations between adolescent–parent career congruence in career exploration and decision making, pointing out in particular the influence due to complementary congruence with mothers. Furthermore, our study underscores the important role played by both individual and contextual factors in adolescent well-being and intentions for their future. Finally, implications for the practice of vocational guidance practitioners are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue External Influences in Adolescents’ Career Development)

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14 pages, 297 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Validation of the Teacher Career-Related Support Self-Efficacy (TCSSE) Questionnaire

by Anna Parola, Marina Pettignano and Jenny Marcionetti

Behav. Sci. 2023, 13(1), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13010036 - 31 Dec 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2445

Abstract

Background: Career-related teacher support self-efficacy refers to the teacher’s confidence in his/her own ability to support students’ career choices. To our knowledge, there are neither studies that focus on this topic nor instruments to measure it. Therefore, the current study aimed at developing [...] Read more.

Background: Career-related teacher support self-efficacy refers to the teacher’s confidence in his/her own ability to support students’ career choices. To our knowledge, there are neither studies that focus on this topic nor instruments to measure it. Therefore, the current study aimed at developing and validating an instrument to assess teacher career-related support self-efficacy (TCSSE). Methods: In a multi-step process, items were developed and three studies that involved Italian in-service teachers were conducted. In Study 1 (n = 232), the TCSSE was developed and exploratory factor analysis on the 51 initial items was performed. In Study 2 (n = 294), six factors—Get Ready, Empower Self, Get Curious, Empower Skills, Emotional Support and Instrumental Support (α = 0.885)—across 36 items were tested through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). In Study 3 (n = 100), the reliability of TCSSE was tested. Results: The EFA performed in Study 1 suggested a six-factor solution with 36 items. The results of Study 2 confirmed the six-factor structure (χ² (579) = 1387.965, p < 0.001, CFI = 0.964, TLI = 0.961, RMSEA = 0.069), the internal consistency (α = 0.863 for Get Ready, α = 0.857 for Empower Self; α = 0.864 for Get Curious; α = 0.909 for Empower Skills; α = 0.881 for Emotional Support; α = 0.885 for Instrumental Support) and validity of the TCSSE. Finally, in Study 3, the reliability of TCSSE was also confirmed. Conclusion: The TCSSE questionnaire can provide researchers and practitioners with a new and reliable measure to assess teacher career-related support self-efficacy. Suggestions for future studies and practice are also provided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue External Influences in Adolescents’ Career Development)

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1 pages, 130 KiB

Open AccessCorrection

Correction: Liu et al. (2024). “Walking with Dreams”: The Categories of Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy and Its Influence on Learning Engagement of Senior High School Students. Behavioral Sciences, 14(12), 1174

by Xuejun Liu, Xiongjie Mei and Guojun Ji

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15010011 - 27 Dec 2024

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The authors would like to adjust the author order for the following two reasons: 1 [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue External Influences in Adolescents’ Career Development)

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