Perfectionism Predicting Career Adaptability: Strengths Use and Deficit Correction as Behavioral Mediators

Career adaptability is becoming more important for university students navigating increasingly uncertain career environments. Drawing on career construction theory (CCT), this study examined how perfectionistic strivings (standards) and perfectionistic concerns (discrepancy), as indicators of trait-like adaptivity, relate to career adaptability among 407 undergraduates in South Korea. The study further investigated strengths use and deficit correction as proactive behaviors mediating these relationships. Structural equation modeling revealed that standards positively predicted career adaptability, whereas discrepancy negatively predicted career adaptability. Strengths use and deficit correction mediated these paths, with the indirect effect of discrepancy via deficit correction significant only among female students. By identifying behavioral mediators, this study contributes to understanding how indicators of adaptivity are translated into career adaptability within the CCT framework.