Emotion in Career-Related Transitions of Young Adult Immigrants: A Contextual Action Theory Perspective

Emotions are critical intrapsychic and relational processes in the meaningful actions of people. In this study, we illustrate the role of emotion in the career-related actions and projects of two dyads of young adults who participated in a program to support their transition to adulthood and to living in a new country. Contextual action theory (CAT) provided the framework to understand emotion both as an intrapsychic and relational process. The action-project qualitative method was used to collect and analyze data. Data for each dyad included joint conversations, video recall of emotions and cognitions during the joint conversations, and the identification and monitoring of the dyad's joint transition project. The cases demonstrate how emotions emerge during key career development transitions and are addressed and supported in the actions between people. They further highlight how our engagement with others can help or hinder individuals' processes through these transitions, including the role of emotional regulation. The illustrations of emotional processes in these dyads point to the salience of emotion in career construction and counseling.