Career Adaptability, Decent Work, Meaningful Work, and Life Satisfaction in Italian Adults

ABSTRACT Nowadays, the economic and social environment is characterized by changes and unstable global conditions that lead individuals to actively adapt to frequent changes. Although the impact may vary across sectors and geographical areas, current global conditions affect decent work. The Life Design paradigm and the Career Construction Theory emphasize the role of career resources, such as career adaptability, to help individuals advocate for themselves and their communities in their search for decent and meaningful work and promote their life satisfaction. This study examined the relationship between career adaptability and life satisfaction through the mediational role of decent work and meaningful work. A total of 706 Italian adults (269 males and 437 females), ages ranging from 18 to 53 years (M = 24.48; SD = 4.01), were involved. Results demonstrated that career adaptability was directly and indirectly linked to life satisfaction through the mediational role of decent work and meaningful work. The results highlighted the relevance of career interventions on career adaptability to positively impact decent and meaningful work and, in turn, life satisfaction.