Objective To explore the mechanism of career adaptability on life satisfaction in cadets and investigate the mediating role of self-efficacy and hope. Methods From January to February 2021, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 759 cadets in a military university using the convenient sampling method. Evaluation tools include Chinese Career Adaptability Scale (CCAS), General Self Efficacy Scale (GSES), Herth Hope Inventory (HHI), and the with Life Scale (SWLS). Results ① Career adaptability, self-efficacy, hope and life satisfaction are positively correlated (r=0.48~0.71, P < 0.01); ② Career adaptability affected life satisfaction mainly through 3 mediation ways. The mediation effect of self-efficacy accounted for 15.25%, the mediation effect of hope for 12.34%, and the chain mediation effect of self-efficacy and hope for 12.30%. Conclusion The career adaptability of cadets can not only directly affect life satisfaction, but also indirectly affect life satisfaction through self-efficacy and hope.
