The relationship between basic psychological needs satisfaction, career adaptability and career construction in nursing students: A career construction theory perspective

Abstract

AimTo determine (i) the relationship between basic psychological needs satisfaction (competence, relatedness and autonomy), career adaptability and career construction, (ii) the role of career adaptability in this relationship and (iii) the variables that predict career construction in nursing students. BackgroundCareer Construction Theory, which predicts that appropriate career behaviour, facilitated by individual characteristics, promotes a person's career outcomes, has not yet been tested in nursing students. DesignCross-sectional and correlational design. MethodsA total of 536 students who were reached through a snowball sampling method among nursing students in the 2022–2023 academic year in Türkiye constituted the sample of the study. Data were collected online using the Student Information Form, the Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction Scale, Career Adapt-Abilities Scale–Short Form and the Student Career Construction Inventory. Data analysis was performed using Model 4 in Hayes' PROCESS Macro and hierarchical linear regression. ResultsAutonomy, competence and relatedness were found to have a direct significant effect on career adaptability and overall career construction score (p<.001). Career adaptability was found to have a partial mediating role in the effect of autonomy, competence and relatedness on overall career construction score (p<.001). When examining the predictor variables for the career construction score, it was found that some variables, such as not having willingly chosen the nursing profession, had a negative effect, while a positive effect was found in the need for competence from the basic psychological needs satisfaction subscales and concern and confidence from the career adaptability subscales (p<.05). ConclusionsNursing educators should ensure that nursing students receive career counseling during their education according to Career Construction Theory to make effective career decisions by allowing them to self-identify and self-discover. Accordingly, career guidance, career education and career counseling initiatives can be implemented in accordance with students' needs.