The relationships between university students' career adaptability and career optimism, and career decision self-efficacy and perceived parental attitudes

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between career adaptability, career optimism, career decision self-efficacy and parental attitudes among university students. A total of 405 university students, 244 women and 161 men, studying in different faculties of a private college in Ankara, participated in the research in the 2021-2022 academic year. In the study, data were obtained by using the Career Future Inventory, the Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Forms and the Parent Attitudes Scale. As a result of the analysis of the data; it was found that male students' career adaptability scores were statistically higher than female students. While it was determined that career adaptability did not differ according to class level and faculty, it was determined that career optimism did not differ according to gender and class level, but statistically differed according to the faculty, and the career optimism scores of the Law Faculty students was statistically higher than the Engineering Faculty students. According to the results of the regression analysis; Democratic parental attitude and career decision self-efficacy were found to positively predict career adaptability. It was determined that career decision self-efficacy predicted career optimism positively, while protective-demanding parental attitude negatively predicted career optimism. The findings were discussed in the light of the literature and suggestions were made for future studies.