Vocational Identity and its Relationship to Psychological Well-Being and Career Thoughts among University Students

Abstract

The clarity of vocational identity is an important focus of professional guidance since it is related to many factors, such as career thoughts and psychological well-being. This study examines the relationship between vocational identity, psychological well-being and career thoughts among students at Hashemite University in Jordan, as well as any gender or faculty specific differences in vocational identity, psychological well-being and career thoughts. Randomly selected male and female students (n= 680) aged 18 to 22 completed questionnaires on vocational identity, psychological well-being, and career thoughts. There was a positive correlation between vocational identity and psychological well-being, and its subscales (autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relationship, purpose in life, and self-acceptance), but a negative correlation between vocational identity and career thoughts and between vocational identity and career thoughts subscales (decision-making confusion, commitment anxiety, and external conflict). Additionally, there were statistically significant differences in the levels of vocational identity by gender, with males favoured but not by faculty. Finally, variables related to gender and faculty had no significant effect on psychological well-being or career thoughts. The results confirm a positive correlation between vocational identity and psychological well-being but a negative correlation between vocational identity and career thoughts. The results also confirm the level of vocational identity among male students was higher than that of female students. The results of this study can be used in the counseling and career guidance process for university students.