Vocational Identity Development and Agency of Chinese College Students: Effects of Filial Piety and Implications in Career Education

Abstract

Balancing family obligations and personal vocational aspirations is vital for college students as stepping into adulthood. By integrating the indigenous psychological and personal-social perspectives, this review article discussed theoretical perspectives and empirical studies on the role of agency and the effects of Filial Piety in college students' vocational identity development. Existing studies and theoretical perspectives indicated that Filial Piety, the core Chinese value of parent-child interaction, may influence college students' vocational identity by shaping specific agentic capacities and the psychological foundation of agency development. This article also reviewed related educational models and effectiveness studies for applications in career education. In conclusion, this article suggested future studies to elaborate on the effects of filial piety on college students' vocational identity and agentic capacities. It also suggested career educational programs to enhance the agency of college students to handle family-related challenges in career development.