Date of Award

5-2023

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Education

Department

Urban Education

First Advisor

Stead, Graham

Second Advisor

Phillips, Julia

Third Advisor

Perry, Justin

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between life satisfaction and perception of educational and career-related barriers. Perceived barriers threaten career development and can subsequently enhance negative appraisals of personal worth and ability. Coping efficacy, an individual's belief or confidence in their ability to manage and overcome challenging or stressful situations, was evaluated as a mediator of this relationship among a sample of 208 undergraduate college students.

The findings of this study suggest a significant negative relationship between the perception of barriers and life satisfaction, which indicates that individuals with higher levels of perceived barriers endorsed lower life satisfaction and vice versa. Additionally, individuals with higher coping efficacy exhibited higher life satisfaction, and those with lower coping efficacy endorsed higher perceptions of barriers. Contrary to expectations, coping efficacy did not mediate the relationship between the perception of barriers and life satisfaction. Implications for research, practice, and theory are discussed. Increased understanding of the relationship among coping efficacy, perceived barriers, life satisfaction, and career development will facilitate the creation of more effective interventions and inform targeted approaches for working with clients.

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