Coping strategy as a predictor of individual success in conditions of professional mobility

Aim. To study such subjective determinants of successful re-professionalization of an individual as self-efficacy, vitality, coping strategies.
Methodology. The results of studying the content of ideas about success, the severity of resilience, self-assessment of effectiveness of preferred coping strategies among Masters with different levels of success at the stage of re-professionalization are compared. Using the Mann- Whitney U test, average data for two groups of respondents were compared; Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed the presence of statistically significant differences in the severity of subjective determinants of personal success at the stage of re-professionalization among successful and less successful Master’s respondents. Sample composition is Master's students who have a non-major first education and have decided to master another profession (N = 222; 25-35 years old). Diagnostic methods: Vitality test (Methodology by S. Maddi, adaptation by D. A. Leontyev); General self-efficacy scale (R. Schwarzer, M. Yerusalem; adapted by V. G. Romek); Questionnaire “Methods of coping behavior” by R. Lazarus and S. Folkman; Questionnaire “Success Factors” (T. N. Shcherbakova).
Results. The features of coping behavior strategies in individuals with varying degrees of success in the situation of re-professionalization are determined. It is shown that there is a connection between the preferred coping strategy and the self-efficacy and resilience of the subject of reprofessionalization. Differences were identified in the chosen coping strategies, as well as the level of self-efficacy and resilience among successful and less successful masters at the stage of mastering a new profession, which influence the effectiveness of educational and professional activities. It has been established that more successful masters more often choose “taking responsibility” and “planning to solve problems” as coping strategies. Among the significant success factors, undergraduates highlight, first of all, creativity, ability to achieve goals, and desire for self-realization. It was revealed that among less successful Master’s students there is a direct positive correlation between self-efficacy and such coping behavior strategies as “seeking social support” and “escape-avoidance”, and an inverse negative relationship between self-efficacy and the coping strategy “taking responsibility”.
Research implications. Determining significant indicators of subjective predictors of individual success in conditions of professional mobility complements the understanding of the role of constructive coping strategies in organizing the productive activity of the subject of re-professionalization. A comprehensive analysis of resources and risks of various coping strategies and correlation with other predictors of success using mathematical statistics methods allows us to determine a system of behavioral strategies and personal characteristics necessary for success in a situation of professional mobility. Based on the data from the empirical study related to the study of the characteristics of coping behavior strategies in people with re-professionalization, a program of psychological support for masters choosing a new professional field has been developed. This program includes a diagnostic block for identifying individual difficulties and risks and training in constructive coping behavior.

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