An Analysis of Research Trends of Meaning in life on Career: A Literature Review in Korea

Abstract

Objectives The purpose of this study is to systematically review domestic research trends on the meaning in life and career in Korea. In addition, it is to present implications for career intervention using meaning in life and the direction of future research.
 Methods To this end, a total of 80 papers on the meaning in life and career published in Korea from 1995 to 2021 were selected. Subsequently, analysis was conducted on the research period, presentation journals, research subjects, research methods, research topics, and career variable characteristics.
 Results As a result of the study, first, studies on the meaning of life and career path were intermittent from the first study in 1995 until 2010, but since 2011, the number has increased and has been steadily conducted every year. Second, while the subjects of the study were diverse, there were many studies on adults, college students, and middle school students from the age of 20 to 60, and studies on old age and elementary school subjects were very insufficient. As for the research method, qualitative research, mixed research, and literature research were used following quantitative research including survey research, panel research, and development research. Third, interest in career development process, career counseling and program, career choice, career stress, and coping was relatively high as a subject of life meaning, and as a result of analyzing the characteristics of career variables according to major categories of social cognitive theory, many studies were conducted.
 Conclusions Based on the results, the direction of follow-up research was suggested.