Career Adaptability as a Developmental Resource for Sustainable Careers: A Latent Profile Analysis in Emerging Adults

Grounded in the sustainable career framework and career construction theory, this study examines how career adaptability supports emerging adults' perceptions of sustainable careers. We investigated whether distinct profiles combining adaptability resources and sustainable career beliefs could be identified and whether these profiles differed in subjective well-being. A sample of Italian university students (N = 169) completed measures of career adaptability, sustainable career perceptions and well-being. Latent profile analysis identified three profiles that varied in levels and configurations of adaptability and sustainability. We then examined whether these profiles differed in life satisfaction and flourishing. The vulnerable profile showed low adaptability and sustainability across all dimensions. The emerging but unbalanced profile displayed moderate adaptability and sustainability but lower control and happiness. The adaptive and sustainable profile showed consistently high levels of both adaptability resources and sustainability domains. Young adults in this last profile reported the highest well-being, whereas those in the vulnerable profile reported the lowest levels of life satisfaction and flourishing. Overall, the findings underscore the role of adaptability as a foundation for sustainable career development and well-being in young adulthood. The results integrate adaptability and sustainability perspectives and offer practical implications for career counselling interventions aimed at strengthening adaptive resources.