Linking Career Exploration, Self-Reflection, Career Calling, Career Adaptability and Subjective Well-Being: A Self-Regulation Theory Perspective

INTRODUCTION: In the post-pandemic era, the cultivation of vocational adaptability among college students holds equal significance to fostering subjective well-being in the face of an increasingly daunting professional landscape. This intricate process can be influenced by exploratory expeditions into potential career paths, sincere introspection, and a profound sense of vocation. METHODS: Drawing upon Bandura’s self-regulation theory, this research project employed structural equation modeling (SEM) to scrutinize the interconnectedness between career exploration, self-reflection, vocational calling, vocational adaptability, and subjective well-being within a sample of 1077 Chinese undergraduates. RESULTS: The findings demonstrated that career exploration and self-reflection positively predicted career adaptability and subjective well-being. In addition, career calling had a significant mediating effect in this model. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study shed light on the significance of career exploration and self-reflection in fostering both adolescent career adaptability and subjective well-being. And are expected to provide a reference for the career construction and development of college students and career education in colleges and universities.