Personality, Parents, & Planning: Predicting Career Attitudinal Outcomes in Undergraduate Students

Personality, parental career-related behaviors, and career construction-based interventions have been shown to impact career adaptability. This study examined the influence of these factors on career concern, an understudied but important dimension of career adaptability, and career anxiety. Data from 297 students enrolled in introductory psychology courses were assessed using hierarchical regression analyses to explore the effects of personality factors (i.e., conscientiousness and neuroticism), parental career-related behaviors (i.e., support, interference, and non-engagement), and participation in a brief planning intervention on career concern and career anxiety. This study further explored the relationship between these career attitudinal outcomes and life satisfaction. Results indicated a significant role of personality factors and specific parental career-related behaviors in career concern and career anxiety. Career concern and conscientiousness also played significant predictive roles in life satisfaction. Our findings contribute to the career development literature and provide insights for both academics and career professionals.