Examining Predictors and Outcomes of Decent Work among Chinese Female Pre-Service Primary School Teachers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the future decent work perceptions in the Psychology of Working Theory (PWT) based on a sample of female primary pre-service teachers in higher education. A cross-sectional design was used for this research. 368 pre-service female teachers were recruited from a university in eastern China for the current study. The results of structural equation modeling indicated that the PWT model applied to Chinese pre-service female primary school teachers. In particular, subjective social status was positively related to future decent work perceptions, disadvantaged mindset was negatively related to future decent work perceptions, and future decent work perceptions were positively related to academic satisfaction. Overall, all the proposed direct pathways in this study were significant. This is the first empirical study to apply the PWT framework among Chinese pre-service female teachers in primary school. With this examination, we were able to comprehensively examine the relationship between variables such as subjective social status and disadvantaged mindset, and future decent work perceptions, helping to improve students’ academic satisfaction and providing suggestions for future career development for this group.