Role of career adaptability in a perceived quality of life of employees with childcare commitments:

Alina Istomina; Yana Istomina; Aleksandra Bordunos; Natalia Volkova; Viktoria Polenova; Svetlana Altukhova

doi:10.17323/2312-5942-2025-15-4-180-190

Alina Istomina HSE University - Saint-Petersburg, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7351-0112
Yana Istomina HSE University - Saint-Petersburg, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3974-3997
Aleksandra Bordunos Saint Petersburg State University, 3 Volkhovsky per., St. Petersburg, 199004, Russian Federation https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0347-3180
Natalia Volkova HSE University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9045-4393
Viktoria Polenova BELA. Butterfly Children Charitable Foundation, Moscow, Moscow, Russian Federation; International Association of Leaders, Moscow, Russian Federation https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5618-7490
Svetlana Altukhova RANEPA, Moscow, Russian Federation https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6562-3140

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17323/2312-5942-2025-15-4-180-190

Keywords: Work-Family Balance, career adaptability, perceived quality of life, vulnerable workforce, children with special health needs, work-family enrichment, career counseling

Abstract

Purpose. The research is focused on the perceived quality of life by employees, particularly vulnerable category, who have childcare commitments for kids with special health needs. This fact affects the career trajectories of such workers, as might bring negative spillover from family domain to work, which might cause even withdrawal of such individuals from the labor market and a decrease intheir well-being. Theoretical background is drawn from the work-family enrichment theory stating that positive aspects at work can positively affect family domain and vice versa. Study design. The empirical part involved 249 women, among which 100 respondents represent the vulnerable category. The model was tested with the help of hierarchical regression analysis in SPSS. Findings. Findings revealed that career adaptability has a high association with the quality of life in terms of high level of control (0,236**) and low level of concern (–0,237*). The standalone fact of having kids with special health needs was not associated directly with a lower quality of life. The most important indicators were having a full family (0,165**) and providing support during income decrease (–0,119*). Value of results. The research contributes to understanding career adaptability of vulnerable workforce by providing insights into the important topics for career counseling.

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