Effects of Appearance Stress and Appearance Management Behavior on Job-seeking Stress among Male University Students

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of appearance stress and appearance managementbehavior on job-seeking stress among male university students. Methods: The participants of this cross-sectionaland descriptive study were 158 male students attending a university in K Province who completed a self-reportstructured questionnaire. The survey period was from September 19th to November 9th, 2017. Data wereanalyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, correlation and multiple linear regressionanalyses with the SPSS statistics 23 program. Results: Job-seeking stress showed significant differencesaccording to BMI (F=2.55, p=.042) and pocket money (F=3.08, p=.049). The results of the regression analysisshowed that grade (β=8.93, p=.008), pocket money (β=-5.11, p=.029), appearance stress (β=.52, p<.001),and appearance management behavior (β=.25, p=.001) were significant factors affecting jog search stress. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that variables such as grade, pocket money, appearance stress,and appearance management behavior significantly explain job-seeking stress among male students in college. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a program to reduce job-seeking stress for senior male students who arepreparing for employment before graduation. In addition, when organizing a program to reduce job-seeking formale university students, it is necessary to help them have a more positive evaluation of their appearance andpursue proper appearance management behaviors.