The dynamics of social and psychological capital conversion in career adaptability: A network analysis

This study examined the relationships among social support, career decision-making self-efficacy, goal orientation, and career adaptability, highlighting the bridging roles of career decision-making self-efficacy and goal orientation. A total of 1433 Chinese university students (female = 70.7%; urban = 55.3%, mean age = 19.73 years, SD = 1.60 years) completed validated measures of career adaptability, social support, career decision-making self-efficacy, and goal orientation. Network analysis revealed that social support was associated with higher career adaptability indirectly through career decision-making self-efficacy and goal orientation, which function as key bridging mechanisms. Moreover, urban college students demonstrated greater effectiveness in utilizing career decision-making self-efficacy and goal orientation to convert social capital compared to their rural counterparts. These findings extend career capital theory by elucidating the central mediating role of psychological capital in transforming social resources into adaptive career outcomes. The results underscore the importance of tailored career counseling interventions that integrate social and psychological assets to enhance student career development.