Career Adaptability in Special Educational Needs Populations: A Systematic Review of the Empirical Evidence and Emerging Research Directions
Despite robust evidence linking career adaptability (CA) to positive vocational and psychosocial outcomes in general populations, research on the CA among individuals with special educational needs (SEN) remains limited. Prior reviews have largely overlooked the distinct challenges faced by SEN popu...
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| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Behavioral Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/7/927 |
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| author | Cheng Li Lan Yang Kuen Fung Sin Fengzhan Gao Alessandra Romano |
| author_facet | Cheng Li Lan Yang Kuen Fung Sin Fengzhan Gao Alessandra Romano |
| author_sort | Cheng Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Despite robust evidence linking career adaptability (CA) to positive vocational and psychosocial outcomes in general populations, research on the CA among individuals with special educational needs (SEN) remains limited. Prior reviews have largely overlooked the distinct challenges faced by SEN populations. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic review across five major databases, yielding an initial pool of 81 studies. Following rigorous screening, only eight quantitative studies met the inclusion criteria, reflecting the early stage of the research in this area. The included studies span diverse SEN groups, including individuals with visual impairments, intellectual disabilities, and mental health conditions. CA was consistently found to be associated with adaptive outcomes such as self-esteem, self-efficacy, hope, and career satisfaction. However, the literature is characterized by methodological limitations, notably the predominance of cross-sectional designs, the underrepresentation of neurodevelopmental conditions (e.g., ASD, ADHD), and a lack of cross-cultural perspectives and standardized instruments specifically adapted to SEN learners. Future studies should focus on the need for longitudinal and mixed-method designs, contextually cross-cultural research, and inclusive measurement tools. Furthermore, exploring the ecological and emotional predictors of CA; expanding to underrepresented SEN subgroups; and evaluating diverse interventions beyond mentoring are essential to informing tailored educational and vocational support for individuals with SEN. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c7bb97ca56c9417d90971f9495be8f54 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-328X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Behavioral Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-c7bb97ca56c9417d90971f9495be8f542025-08-20T03:58:30ZengMDPI AGBehavioral Sciences2076-328X2025-07-0115792710.3390/bs15070927Career Adaptability in Special Educational Needs Populations: A Systematic Review of the Empirical Evidence and Emerging Research DirectionsCheng Li0Lan Yang1Kuen Fung Sin2Fengzhan Gao3Alessandra Romano4Institute of Special Needs and Inclusive Education (ISNIE), The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, ChinaInstitute of Special Needs and Inclusive Education (ISNIE), The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, ChinaInstitute of Special Needs and Inclusive Education (ISNIE), The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, ChinaInstitute of Special Needs and Inclusive Education (ISNIE), The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, ChinaDepartment of Social, Political and Cognitive Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, ItalyDespite robust evidence linking career adaptability (CA) to positive vocational and psychosocial outcomes in general populations, research on the CA among individuals with special educational needs (SEN) remains limited. Prior reviews have largely overlooked the distinct challenges faced by SEN populations. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic review across five major databases, yielding an initial pool of 81 studies. Following rigorous screening, only eight quantitative studies met the inclusion criteria, reflecting the early stage of the research in this area. The included studies span diverse SEN groups, including individuals with visual impairments, intellectual disabilities, and mental health conditions. CA was consistently found to be associated with adaptive outcomes such as self-esteem, self-efficacy, hope, and career satisfaction. However, the literature is characterized by methodological limitations, notably the predominance of cross-sectional designs, the underrepresentation of neurodevelopmental conditions (e.g., ASD, ADHD), and a lack of cross-cultural perspectives and standardized instruments specifically adapted to SEN learners. Future studies should focus on the need for longitudinal and mixed-method designs, contextually cross-cultural research, and inclusive measurement tools. Furthermore, exploring the ecological and emotional predictors of CA; expanding to underrepresented SEN subgroups; and evaluating diverse interventions beyond mentoring are essential to informing tailored educational and vocational support for individuals with SEN.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/7/927career adaptabilityspecial educational needssystematic reviewcareer developmentinclusive education |
| spellingShingle | Cheng Li Lan Yang Kuen Fung Sin Fengzhan Gao Alessandra Romano Career Adaptability in Special Educational Needs Populations: A Systematic Review of the Empirical Evidence and Emerging Research Directions Behavioral Sciences career adaptability special educational needs systematic review career development inclusive education |
| title | Career Adaptability in Special Educational Needs Populations: A Systematic Review of the Empirical Evidence and Emerging Research Directions |
| title_full | Career Adaptability in Special Educational Needs Populations: A Systematic Review of the Empirical Evidence and Emerging Research Directions |
| title_fullStr | Career Adaptability in Special Educational Needs Populations: A Systematic Review of the Empirical Evidence and Emerging Research Directions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Career Adaptability in Special Educational Needs Populations: A Systematic Review of the Empirical Evidence and Emerging Research Directions |
| title_short | Career Adaptability in Special Educational Needs Populations: A Systematic Review of the Empirical Evidence and Emerging Research Directions |
| title_sort | career adaptability in special educational needs populations a systematic review of the empirical evidence and emerging research directions |
| topic | career adaptability special educational needs systematic review career development inclusive education |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/7/927 |
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