Prolonged grief and career adaptability of university students through meaning making and coping styles

Abstract

In this study, the relationship between prolonged grief and career adaptability was examined. Specifically, it was predicted that the relationship would be mediated by meaning making and coping styles. The total sample consisted of 120 university students who have experienced at least one death of significant others that happened more than 6 months ago. Results showed that the direct paths between prolonged grief and career adaptability were insignificant, but through meaning making’s mediation, the indirect paths were all significant. The findings indicate that prolonged grief can affect career development. Therefore, there is a need for counselors to promote meaning making and the use of problem-focused coping to support the career development of individuals with prolonged grief symptoms.