This study explores how proactive decision-making influences constructivist career beliefs and how a sense of emptiness moderates this relationship. It explores how proactive strategies impact job performance, stress reduction and well-being in Kazakhstan’s evolving labor market, particularly across different age groups.
A quantitative research design was used, collecting survey data from 391 working adults in Kazakhstan via convenience sampling. Proactive decision-making, sense of emptiness and constructivist beliefs were measured using established multidimensional scales. Analyses included descriptive statistics, reliability and correlation tests, regression analysis in SPSS and structural equation modeling (SEM) in R-Studio.
Proactive decision-making negatively correlates with a sense of emptiness, particularly among older employees, suggesting experience helps manage career uncertainties. It also positively correlates with constructivist beliefs, reinforcing agentic career strategies. A negative link between sense of emptiness and constructivist beliefs indicates younger employees struggle more with proactive strategies when facing psychological distress. These findings emphasize integrating psychological well-being into career counseling, especially for early-career professionals. The findings offer practical implications for career counselors and educators seeking to support individuals navigating uncertainty in career development.
This study contributes to career development research by examining the interplay of proactive decision-making, sense of emptiness and constructivist beliefs in Kazakhstan’s labor market. Identifying age as a moderating factor provides novel insights into career strategies and underscores the role of psychological well-being in professional fulfillment.
