Core self-evaluations, job search behaviour and health complaints: The mediating role of job search self-efficacy
Career Development International
ISSN: 1362-0436
Article publication date: 17 May 2018
Issue publication date: 2 August 2018
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand the role played by core self-evaluations (CSEs) in relationship to both job seekers’ job search behaviour and health complaints by examining the mediating role of job search self-efficacy (JSSE).
Design/methodology/approach
The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 216 Romanian unemployed persons. The hypothetical and alternative models (partial and full mediation) were tested using structural equation modeling.
Findings
The results supported a total mediation between CSE and job search behaviour and a partial one in relationship with health complaints, via JSSE. As a post hoc decision, a brief meta-analysis was conducted for the relationship between CSE and job search behaviour which revealed a very small effect (r=0.07, p=0.001). This result complemented and certified the findings on the lack of a total and also a direct effect between CSE and job search behaviour.
Originality/value
JSSE seems to be an important motivational factor. Fuelled by CSE, JSSE enables proper job search behaviour and also promotes job seekers’ health. From a practical point of view, the data suggest that developing interventions to strengthen unemployed individuals’ personal resources such as CSE and, especially JSSE, could not only foster their employment but could also protect their health.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to Cristina Lupu, MA, for her valuable effort to collect the data for this study.
Citation
Vîrga, D. and Rusu, A. (2018), "Core self-evaluations, job search behaviour and health complaints: The mediating role of job search self-efficacy", Career Development International, Vol. 23 No. 3, pp. 261-273. https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-11-2017-0208
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited