BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN EDUCATION AND LIFE SKILLS IN ADULTHOOD: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF FEMALE STUDENTS IN EDUCATION SCIENCES
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN EDUCATION AND LIFE SKILLS IN ADULTHOOD: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF FEMALE STUDENTS IN EDUCATION SCIENCES

Summary/Abstract: Integrated into recent research pathways (Armstrong-Heimsoth et al., 2021; García-Alba et al., 2021, 2022; Gerber & Sinha, 2025), our study continues longstanding concerns about adulthood life skills (Eftimie & Mărgăriţoiu, 2017). This study investigates the interrelationships between school and professional integration, vocational and educational planning, financial and household management, and daily life skills among female students from the Education Sciences where women represent the majority of enrolments. Using a cross-sectional design, we collected quantitative data from 50 female students, aged between 20 and 48 years, through the Casey Life Skills Assessment (Casey, 2000). Data were analysed using Jamovi software. The results indicate a moderate, statistically significant correlation between school and professional integration and educational and vocational planning (r = 0.378, p = 0.007), suggesting that students who feel more integrated into academic and professional settings are more likely to engage in effective academic and career planning. Similarly, a significant moderate correlation was found between school and professional integration and financial and household management (r = 0.370, p = 0.008), indicating a potential link between perceived integration and the development of functional competencies and autonomy in managing financial and domestic responsibilities. Conversely, daily life skills did not show significant correlation with any of the other variables examined (e.g., financial and household management and vocational planning). These findings suggest the potential influence of additional, unexamined factors that may account for the observed patterns. Overall, the results offer a preliminary foundation for the design of evidence-based interventions to enhance the students’ integration and autonomy in adult life through integrated academic and financial skill development.

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