Career adaptability in Lithuania: A test of psychometric properties and a theoretical model

•The CAAS-Lithuanian form was found to have good psychometric properties.•A hierarchical four-factor CAAS model was replicated in a high-school sample.•Social-demographic variables had no major impact upon career adapt-ability scores.•Career adapt-abilities were related to career aspirations and career exploration behaviors.•The data supported the career adaptation model in that exploration behaviors mediated the link between adaptability and decidedness.

The Career Adapt-Abilities Scale-Lithuanian Form consists of four six-item subscales measuring concern, control, curiosity, and confidence. These are thought to be the main dimensions of career adaptability reflecting individual psychosocial resources to cope with occupational transitions, developmental tasks, and work traumas. Two studies were administered in a sample (N  =  767) of Lithuanian high school students. The results showed factor structure to be identical to that of the CAAS-International Form. Moreover, good to excellent scale internal consistency coefficients were obtained. With a slight exception, MIMIC model analysis revealed no major effects of demographic variables upon the CAAS factor or factor indicator scores. Concurrent validity analysis showed career adaptability, as measured by the CAAS-Lithuanian Form, to be significantly related to career aspirations, to the frequency of career exploration behaviors and to career decidedness. Finally, as hypothesized by the career construction model of adaptation, career exploration behaviors mediated the link between career adaptability and decidedness.