Exploring the Association between Perceived Career Crisis, Discrepancy of Career Expectations, and Wellbeing among Hungarian Employees

Abstract

The study aims to extend knowledge of how Discrepancy of Career Expectations, Perceived Career Crisis, and Wellbeing relate to each other, and thereby contribute to the theory and application of targeted wellbeing positive psychology interventions, with a special focus on Hungarian employees. Cross-sectional research was conducted to analyse whether there is a relationship between the level of Perceived Career Crisis and the Discrepancy between Current and Ideal Career Stages, the relationship between Perceived Career Crisis and Wellbeing, and which Wellbeing components seem to be overarching in the case of Perceived Career Crisis and Discrepancy. In the case of Discrepancy, there is a significant difference between distinct levels of Perceived Career Crisis. Our findings suggest that Autonomy, Optimism, and Empathy seem to be overarching Wellbeing components that might serve to reduce the potential negative outcomes of Discrepancy of Career Expectations and Perceived Career Crisis. Although further research is needed, these findings may help practitioners to further develop customised wellbeing and career management programmes, as well as to apply targeted interventions – as opposed to general solutions – to increase employees' career satisfaction.