“Be Perfect in Every Respect”: The Relationship Between Perfectionism, Career Adaptability and Career Decision-Making Difficulties of College Students

Abstract

Background Considering the weakening of the economy and the shrinking of jobs under the current global epidemic crisis, the employment of college graduates is facing unprecedented and cruel competition. However, many college students lack a reasonable understanding and orientation of themselves, which led to them have high expectations for future careers and do not consider whether they are competent or not. Due to a lack of ability and self-confidence, they appear to be at a loss and hesitant when facing career choices. Methods We takes 400 college students in China and conducts a questionnaire survey on college students' perfectionism, career adaptability, and career decision-making difficulties to explore the relationship among them. Results College students' perfectionism, career adaptability, and career decision-making difficulties are significantly correlated. Positive perfectionism has a negative predictive effect on career decision-making difficulties, and career adaptability plays a completely mediating role in it. Negative perfectionism plays a positive predictive role in career decision-making difficulties, and career adaptability plays a part in mediating roles. Conclusions College students will more or less pursue "perfect", but often with their own preferences to pursue, can not be done based on the rational analysis of things to pursue perfect. College students have higher positive perfectionism and negative perfectionism, and their career adaptability is also at a higher level, but there is a higher degree of career decision-making difficulties. Positive perfectionism of college students can reduce the difficulty of career decision-making, and career adaptability plays a completely mediating role in it. Negative perfectionism of college students will lead to difficulties in career decision-making, in which career adaptability plays a mediating role