An initial study on the role of playfulness in vocational interests and career choices

Adult playfulness describes individual differences in (re)framing situations as entertaining, intellectually stimulating, or personally interesting. Previous research has linked playfulness to workplace creativity and satisfaction, but its role in vocational interests and career choices remains underexplored. In two studies, we investigated how playfulness relates to vocational interests and career choices, offering insights into person-environment fit and implications for career counseling. In Study 1, 219 participants reported on three playfulness indicators (questionnaire, number of playful acts and ideas, context-specific playfulness) and their vocational interests using the RIASEC model. Playful individuals were especially interested in enterprising and artistic work activities. Latent profile analysis indicated three interest profiles, each associated with distinct playfulness expressions. In Study 2, two samples comprising 2731 students and 2286 professionals completed a multidimensional playfulness questionnaire and reported their study majors or occupations, which we categorized into RIASEC types. MANOVA indicated small mean differences in playfulness facets across occupational groups but larger differences for specific study majors and professions. Our findings highlight the importance of considering playfulness in vocational and organizational settings. We discuss the role of playfulness in vocational contexts and implications for future research (e.g., addressing interests-profession incongruities) and practical applications (e.g., career counseling). • Playfulness aligns with artistic and enterprising vocational interests and career choices. • We found differences in playfulness for specific study majors and professions. • Finer occupational categories explain more variance in playfulness than broader ones.