Career Adaptability, Self-Esteem, and Social Support Among Hong Kong University Students

Career adaptability manifests itself through 4 self-regulated internal resources for coping with occupational challenges and transitions: concern, control, curiosity, and confidence. Few studies have examined career adaptability specifically in the Hong Kong context. The Career Adapt-Abilities Scale–China Form (CAAS-China; Hou, Leung, Li, Li, & Xu, 2012) was administered, along with measures of self-esteem and social support, to 522 Hong Kong Chinese undergraduate students. Results indicated that the CAAS-China is a reliable and valid instrument for use with these students. Data also showed that self-esteem was strongly associated with career adaptability, and this relationship was partially mediated by perceived social support. Implications for careers counseling in universities and colleges are discussed.