Investigation of the Mediator Role of Career Adapt-abilities in the Relationship Between Big Five Factor Personality Traits and Career Distress

Abstract

Career distress is an important construct for understanding career development in young adults. Revealing the variables associated with this construct has the potential to contribute to the reduction and prevention of career distress. The aim of this study, which was carried out in this direction, is to examine the mediating role of career adapt-abilities in the relationship between career distress and five-factor personality traits of university students. The research was conducted with 369 university students. Big Five Personality Traits Scale, Turkish five‑factor short form of the Career Adapt‑Abilities Scale and Career Distress Scale were used as data collection tools. Data analyzes were performed using Pearson correlation analysis and structural equation modeling method. The findings of the study showed that career adapt-abilities play a full mediator role in the relationship between career distress and extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness personality traits. In addition, career adapt-abilities have a partial mediator role in the relations between career distress and neuroticism and openness to experience personality traits. The results of the study were discussed considering the theoretical basis and previous research. Recommendations for practitioners and researchers are presented.