CAREER SELF-MANAGEMENT AND OCCUPATIONAL MENTAL WELL-BEING: THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ROLE OF PROTEAN CAREER ORIENTATION

Abstract

Volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA) are the hallmarks of the modern workplace and are causing unprecedented psychological demands on employees. This idea of career self-management has been an important component of the understanding of occupational mental health, is an enabling factor in developing people's capacity to manage their career life dynamically and adaptively in relation to mental health. In this perspective, the psychological approach of Protean Career Orientation (PCO), which is characterized by self-directed career management and values guided career decision-making, can be used to understand mental health of people in their career or trying to pursue their career in a meaningful manner. This paper offers an empirical study that explores the link between PCO, career self management and mental well-being for healthcare professionals. The mediation model of psychological adaptability was tested using a sample of 500 participants through structural equation modeling while genetic predispositions (e.g., BDNF Val66Met polymorphism) were tested as moderators. Findings indicate that PCO has a significant positive impact on occupational mental well-being, with the effects of greater autonomy, resilience, and identity coherence potentially being enhanced or moderated by genetic markers. The results underscore the interdisciplinary nature of the career concept, career theory, career psychology, and molecular research—implications for organizational practices, career counseling, and future genetic career studies. This paper is an effort towards bridging Career self-management with the field of occupational health psychology, highlighting the importance of PCO in maintaining mental health in highly stressful professions.