Effects of Parental Expectation and Filial Piety on Career Development of University Students in Shanghai

In recent years, the vagaries of global economy and rapid social transformation bring great challenges to university students. Graduates' difficulty in employment has becoming one of the hottest issues in China. The difficulty of career decision-making and low level of career commitment emerging as two urgent employment problems, call for attention on the development of career adaptability. However, little research has identified key culture-related factors influencing such problems. Based on career developmental theory (Super, 1957, 1969, 1980, 1984, 1990), this study aimed to investigate how parental expectation and filial piety, the core familial values of Asian culture, have impact on university students' career adaptability, career decision-making difficulties and career choice commitment. Participants included 877 undergraduates from 18 universities and colleges in Shanghai (ageaverage = 21, Nmale = 341, Nfemale = 536). They completed Living-up to Parental Expectation Inventory, Career-related Filial Piety Scale, Career Adapt-Ability Inventory, Emotional and Personality-related Career decision-making Difficulties, and Commitment to Career Choice Scale. The data empirically supported hypothesized model that perceived parental expectation and filial piety influence career decision-making difficulty and career commitment through career adaptability very well. The results also revealed double-effect of perceived parental expectation and filial piety, as well as the significant mediating effect of the latter on career development. The theoretical and practical implication of Chinese career guidance was discussed.