Dysfunctional Career Thought Patterns in Youth Amidst the Covid-19 Crisis

Abstract

COVID-19 has affected each aspect of human life to a greater extent be it social life, cultural aspects or economic conditions. We may have different opinions about it but one thing that cannot be denied is that it has certainly put the professional life or career of many at stake. Even those who could still survive and keep their jobs during the period have become victims to negative thoughts that are related to one’s career. These dysfunctional career thoughts further lead to dysfunctional cognitions (thought process) and perceptions that eventually take away the very zeal to try that may eventually take one towards success in life. This research paper is an effort to draw attention towards the damage that COVID -19 has caused to not only the source of income or professional career of many but the spirit deep down inside. Time that took away the source of income and that made people stay at home also shattered their dreams that once gave them the strength to carry on. The prevalence of dysfunctional career thoughts is usually noticed through behavior like incomplete tasks, verbal expressions that lead to depression, anger and become the primary causes of increase in suicidal rate which has been clearly noticed during COVID -19. The limited use of the term dysfunctional career thoughts in the field of psychology in general limits the availability of the relevant evidence but isn’t the whole idea of research is to explore the unexplored? In this paper, we tried to study the causes and mitigations of dysfunctional career thoughts. We also propose an assessment model which analyses the effective loss in psychological mindset and career progress. It also suggests some remedial measures for the same.