Future work-self salience and proactive career behavior among college student-athletes in Taiwan: A career construction model of adaptation

Career adaptability has been frequently applied for understanding the career development of students and adults; however, the concept has rarely been exploited for understanding the career adaptation of college student-athletes. The present study used the career construction model of adaptation as the framework for identifying the moderated mediation of student-athletes' career behaviors. A total of 233 college student-athletes were recruited as participants in this study. Data collection was conducted through the use of paper questionnaires. The results indicated that career adaptability could partially mediate the relationship between future work self-salience and proactive career behavior among college student-athletes. In addition, athletic identity moderated the relationship between future work self-salience, career adaptability and proactive career behaviors. When an individual has a weak athletic identity, the mediating effect of career adaptability in this relationship is strengthened. By expanding the use of the career construction model of adaptation, the research results can offer guidance to university and consultation centers in the cultivation of student-athletes' career development.