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The influence of social connectedness and meaning in life on career adaptability and career self-efficacy in students with special educational needs

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Abstract

Students with special education needs (SEN) face challenges in developing career adaptability and self-efficacy. Using a sample of 355 students with SEN in Hong Kong, this study evaluated effects of social connectedness and meaning in life on career adaptability and career self-efficacy. Data were collected twice, participants completing self-report measures at baseline and 18 months later. Analysis found that meaning in life significantly and positively predicted both variables. At follow-up, social connectedness directly predicted presence of meaning, while indirectly predicting career adaptability and self-efficacy. Interventions for SEN students should seek to strengthen their social connectedness and meaning in life.

Résumé

L'influence du lien social et du sens de la vie sur l'adaptabilité et l'auto-efficacité de la carrière chez les étudiantes ayant des besoins éducatifs spéciaux. Les étudiantes ayant des besoins éducatifs spéciaux (BES) sont confrontées à des défis dans le développement de l'adaptabilité et de l'auto-efficacité de leur carrière. En utilisant un échantillon de 355 étudiantes ayant des besoins éducatifs spéciaux à Hong Kong, cette étude a évalué les effets de la connectivité sociale et du sens de la vie sur l'adaptabilité et l'auto-efficacité de la carrière. Les données ont été recueillies à deux reprises, les participantes remplissant des mesures d'auto-évaluation au début de l'étude et 18 mois plus tard. L'analyse a révélé que le sens de la vie prédisait significativement et positivement les deux variables. Au moment du suivi, le lien social prédisait directement la présence de ce sens, tout en prédisant indirectement l'adaptabilité de la carrière et l'auto-efficacité. Les interventions auprès des étudiantes BES devraient chercher à renforcer leurs liens sociaux et le sens de leur vie.

Zusammenfassung

Der Einfluss von sozialer Verbundenheit und Lebenssinn auf die berufliche Anpassungsfähigkeit und berufliche Selbstwirksamkeit bei Schülerinnen mit sonderpädagogischem Förderbedarf. Schüler mit sonderpädagogischem Förderbedarf (SPF) stehen bei der Entwicklung ihrer beruflichen Anpassungsfähigkeit und Selbstwirksamkeit vor Herausforderungen. Anhand einer Stichprobe von 355 Schülern mit SPF in Hongkong untersuchte diese Arbeit die Auswirkungen sozialer Verbundenheit und Lebenssinn auf die berufliche Anpassungsfähigkeit und berufliche Selbstwirksamkeit. Die Datenerhebung erfolgte in zwei Schritten—die Teilnehmenden antworteten per Selbstauskunft sowohl zu Studienbeginn als auch 18 Monate später. Die Analyse ergab, dass Lebenssinn beide Variablen signifikant und positiv vorhersagte. Die Nachuntersuchung konnte zeigen, dass soziale Verbundenheit direkt das Vorhandensein von Sinn und indirekt die berufliche Anpassungsfähigkeit und Selbstwirksamkeit vorhersagte. Interventionen sollten demensprechend anstreben soziale Verbundenheit und Lebenssinn von Schüler:innen mit SPF zu stärken.

Resumen

La influencia de la conexión social y el sentido de la vida en la adaptabilidad de la carrera y la autoeficacia de la carrera en estudiantes con necesidades educativas especiales. El estudiante con necesidades educativas especiales (NEE) se enfrenta a retos en el desarrollo de la adaptabilidad y la autoeficacia profesional. Utilizando una muestra de 355 estudiantes con NEE en Hong Kong, este estudio evaluó los efectos de la conexión social y el sentido de la vida en la adaptabilidad y la autoeficacia profesional. Los datos se recogieron dos veces, los participantes completaron medidas de autoinforme en la línea de base y 18 meses después. El análisis reveló que el sentido de la vida predijo significativa y positivamente ambas variables. En el seguimiento, la conexión social predijo directamente la presencia de sentido, mientras que predijo indirectamente la adaptabilidad y la autoeficacia profesional. Las intervenciones para los estudiantes con necesidades educativas especiales deberían tratar de reforzar su conexión social y su sentido de la vida.

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Acknowledgements

The research project was funded by the Community Services Division Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. We are grateful to Mr. Patrick K. W. Man, Ms. Joyce Mak, Ms. Daisy Ip, Dr. Y.B.Chung, Dr. Queenie, O.Y. Lee, Dr. Annie K. C. Chan, Dr. Shui-wai Wong, Dr. Peter Shea, Ms. Virginia Cheung, Ms. Ada So, and Mr. Peter Westwood for their input to the research project. The project would not have been completed without the generous support of teachers, school guidance personnel, parents, and students in the survey schools. Their valuable contribution to the research is greatly appreciated.

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  1. Mantak Yuen and Ryder Tsz Hong Chan have contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Advancement in Inclusive and Special Education, Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China

    Mantak Yuen & Ryder Tsz Hong Chan

  2. School of Nursing, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China

    Ryder Tsz Hong Chan

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  1. Mantak Yuen
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Yuen, M., Chan, R.T.H. The influence of social connectedness and meaning in life on career adaptability and career self-efficacy in students with special educational needs. Int J Educ Vocat Guidance (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-022-09562-y

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