University students’ future time perspective and career adaptability: The mediating role of grit

Abstract

Within the larger framework of career construction theory, the present study investigated how future time perspective is related to career adaptability and whether grit may play a mediating role in this relationship. A sample of 483 university students (Mage = 20.03, 92.3% women) filled in scales measuring future time perspective dimensions (i.e., connectedness, value, extension, and speed), grit, and career adaptability comprised in an online survey. Findings showed that career adaptability was positively associated with connectedness and extension, and negatively associated with speed future time dimension. Further, grit was positively linked to career adaptability. In addition, grit mediated the relationships of future time dimensions with career adaptability. Results are discussed in terms of educational and counseling implications regarding university students’ future career construction in academic settings.