Mediating effect of career adaptability in levels of hope, satisfaction and depressive symptomatology in postgraduate students

Abstract

The objective of this study was to verify the mediating effect of career adaptability in levels of depressive symptomatology, hope, and satisfaction in postgraduate students in Stricto Sensu, and, as well as differences based on sociodemographic variables. A total of 2115 postgraduate students participated, with an average age of 28.91 years (SD = 5.17), 51.8% of whom were Master’s degree students, and 74.4% were female. Participants responded to the Career Adapt-abilities Scale, Cognitive Hope Scale, and Baptista Depression Scale (adult version). The results indicated higher levels of depressive symptomatology for scholarship students and in the final phase of the course. The structural equations model indicated that career adaptability has a mediating effect over hope and depressive symptomatology. Self-centered hope and satisfaction on being a post-graduate student directly influence the level of career adaptability and depressive symptoms.