The Mediating Role of Emotional Intelligence on the Relationship between Helicopter Parenting and Career Adaptability in Generation Z in the Artificial Intelligence Era
Keywords:
helicopter parenting, emotional intelligence, career adaptability, Generation Z, artificial intelligence, emerging adulthoodAbstract
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has created uncertainty in career trajectories, making career adaptability an essential competency for Generation Z entering an AI-disrupted labor market. However, helicopter parenting, characterized by excessive parental control and overinvolvement, may hinder the development of this capability. This study examined the mediating role of emotional intelligence in the relationship between perceived helicopter parenting and career adaptability among Indonesian Generation Z university students. Using a quantitative cross-sectional design, data were collected from 326 students (M age = 21.4 years, SD = 1.8) using validated measures of helicopter parenting, emotional intelligence, and career adaptability. Structural Equation Modeling with bootstrapping (5,000 resamples) was employed for data analysis. Results showed that helicopter parenting negatively predicted career adaptability both directly and indirectly through emotional intelligence, with emotional intelligence partially mediating the relationship and accounting for 34.2% of the total effect. These findings indicate that overprotective parenting reduces career adaptability partly by limiting the development of emotional competencies needed to navigate career transitions. The study highlights the importance of fostering emotional intelligence as a protective factor to strengthen career readiness among Generation Z in an AI-shaped workforce.
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