The effectiveness of psychodynamic career counselling: a randomised control trial on the PICS programme

Abstract

The work aims at extending the research into the effectiveness of psychodynamic career counselling for improving career adjustment. The short- and medium-term effects of the PICS (Psychodynamic Intervention for Career Strategies) programme were tested through an RCT conducted on a sample of 82 psychology professionals entering the labour market. It was hypothesised that after completing the programme – at posttest and at 6-month follow-up – participants would have higher scores on measures of career adaptability (assumed as primary outcome) and other secondary career-related outcomes. Overall, the results of the present study suggest a medium-sized effect on the curiosity dimension of career adaptability at 6-month follow-up, despite not fully robust in terms of statistical significance, and other promising impacts suggesting a more relational approach in career construction in those participating in the programme according to the treatment protocol.

Keywords:

• Career counselling
• psychodynamic intervention
• randomised control trial
• intention to treat analysis
• per protocol analysis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. The final grade of university degree in Italy ranges from 66 to 110 cum laude.