Persistence In Optimal Vocational Identity: The Importance of Exerting Effort Despite Setbacks for Young People Well-Being

The present study examined the association between vocational identity statuses and planned happenstance skills, which can be considered as resources for the development of optimal identity in our de-standardized society. Participants (337 women, 135 men, and 4 who did not reply) were attending university in the southern of Italy. We used four self-report measures of vocational identity development, planned happenstance, and identity functioning (identity distress and eudaimonic well-being) to examine the association between identity, planned happenstance skills, and both well- and ill-being. Based on a person-centered approach, six profiles were obtained to describe the differentiated interplay between vocational identity, planned happenstance, and identity functioning. Our findings suggested that late adolescents with high levels of persistence and optimism seem to be more advanced in their vocational identity definition. Furthermore, they show high eudaimonic well-being, supporting the hypothesis that planned happenstance skills can allow the acquisition of optimal vocational identity. Suggestions for developing interventions to foster personal resources in this age group are discussed.