Exploring the relationship between hope, career exploration, and career adaptability behaviors in college students during the COVID-19 pandemic

This study examined the relationship between hope, career exploration, and career adaptability among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing data from a nationwide survey, participants completed the Adult Hope Scale (Snyder et al., 1991), selected dimensions of the Career Exploration Survey (Stumpf et al., 1983), and the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale, USA Form (Savickas & Porfeli, 2012). The primary hypothesis proposed that higher levels of hope would be associated with greater engagement in career exploration and increased career adaptability. The results revealed no significant correlation between overall hope scores and career exploration, nor between the hope subscales, agency and pathways thinking, and career exploration dimensions. However, a positive correlation was found between hope and career adaptability, suggesting that students with higher levels of hope demonstrated greater adaptability in navigating their career development. These findings partially support the initial hypothesis: while hope was not significantly correlated career exploration behaviors, it was positively associated with career adaptability. The lack of a relationship between hope and career exploration may be attributed to the unique challenges posed by the pandemic, including limited employment opportunities and widespread uncertainty. This study highlights the potential value of fostering hope to enhance students’ adaptability, offering implications for career services and support programs in higher education.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Kansas

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Almai-Mahurin, Catherine

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Parker, Eugene

• Education
• career adaptability
• career exploration
• hope
• matriculation
• retention

Statement dc:rights

• This item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

https://www.proquest.com/LegacyDocView/DISSNUM/32113070

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:kuscholarworks.ku.edu:1808/37871