Dowling, John (2020) Cognitive Flexibility, Career Adaptability, and Job Search Self-Efficacy: A Novel Application of Career Construction Theory. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Individuals measuring high in traits of adaptability are predicted to adapt and respond to changing workplace demands successfully and are therefore predicted to be more successful at both gaining and retaining employment compared to individuals measuring low in adaptability traits. The present study assessed relationships between measures of cognitive flexibility (CF), career adaptability (CA), and job search self-efficacy (JSSE) through a novel application of the career construction theory (CCT) adaptation model. A cross-sectional, convenience sample of Australian citizens completed an all-online measure containing the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Careers Futures Inventory nine-item (CFI-9), and Job Search Self-Efficacy Scale (JSSES), representing Adaptivity, adaptability resources, and adapting responses respectively. Results indicated non-significant relationships between overall percent perseverative errors on the WCST used to measure CF. Post hoc investigation identified that rushed completion explained by the speed-accuracy trade-off (SAT) may have impacted the WCST test results; therefore, their interpretation here is tentative. Simple regression indicated that adaptability resources, measured by the CFI-9 Career Adaptability subscale, accounted for a significant 20% of variance in adapting responses, measured by the JSSE-Behaviour subscale. In contrast, the observed nonsignificant relationship between the CFI-9 Career Optimism and JSSE-Behaviour subscales supports the existence of a two-dimensional construct of JSSE between behaviour orientated and expected outcome self-efficacy within the job search context. These findings support use of the CFI-9 and JSSES within the CCT adaptation model whereas online administration of the WCST should be avoided until reliability and validity of online administration can be achieved
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Counselling (1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Gavin Beccaria; Peter McIlveen |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 09 Jul 2025 05:03 |
| Last Modified: | 09 Jul 2025 05:03 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Cognitive flexibility; Career adaptability; Job search self-efficacy; Career Construction Theory. |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52283 |
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