Work

The Benefit of Being Proactive: The Effect of Proactive Personality on Professional Identity Among Chinese College Students

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Based on social cognitive career theory, this study constructs and empirically tests a double-mediation model to elucidate the effect of proactive personality on professional identity among Chinese college students. Additionally, it delves into the mediating mechanisms underlying future self-continuity and career calling in this relationship. This study employs a three-stage data collection strategy, collecting data from 382 college students at a normal university in China. Statistical analysis results show that the proactive personality of college students has a significant positive impact on their future self-continuity, career calling, and professional identity. Meanwhile, future self-continuity and career calling of college students both play a mediating role in the influence of proactive personality on professional identity. In conclusion, the results of this study provide the academic community with a new perspective to explain the relationship between proactive personality and professional identity and can also provide specific guidance for improving college students' professional identity in practice.

Source: Behavioral Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/bs16040524

Authors: Weilin Su, Xiao Gui, Huiyuan Chen

Institutions: Capital Normal University, University of Science and Technology Beijing

Language: English

Topic: Career Development and Diversity

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,654