Examining Predictors and Outcomes of Decent Work Perception with Chinese Nursing College Students.

Yin Ma,Yuanxiong Tang,Junjer You

doi:10.3390/ijerph17010254

Abstract

Drawing on the psychology of working theory (PWT), the present study was performed to evaluate the predictor session of the PWT and career exploration behavior with a sample of Chinese nursing college students from diverse backgrounds. The research employed a cross-sectional research design and 854 nursing students were recruited from one health vocational college situated in Northwest China. Structural equation modeling was utilized to conduct the analysis; confirmatory factor analysis and structural model testing were performed accordingly. Moreover, mediation analysis that used bias-corrected percentile bootstrapping method and moderation analysis were carried out in accordance. Overall, most of the proposed direct paths were significant, but the mediation results were mixed. Proactive personality simply moderated the impact of economic constraints on career adaptability. The results suggest that PWT is applicable to nursing college students and the model is generally supported in the Chinese context. It is the first empirical work that used this model among nursing college students and future decent work perceptions contributed another important antecedent of career exploration behavior. The practical implications based on these findings are provided as well.

Highlights

Career exploration is considered as a vital outcome in the majority of career development literature, and those who successfully display career-related self and environmental exploration may contribute to career decision self-efficacy [1], career-related knowledge and capabilities [2,3] and career identity development [4,5]
Based on the psychology of working theory (PWT), this study proposed an extended model, linking the predictor session of decent work with the career exploration behavior of nursing college students
Hypothesis 1 (H1) showed that economic constraints had a negative relationship with work volition, which means that students who suffered economic difficulties usually had a lower level of ability to make career-related decisions

Summary

Introduction

Career exploration is considered as a vital outcome in the majority of career development literature, and those who successfully display career-related self and environmental exploration may contribute to career decision self-efficacy [1], career-related knowledge and capabilities [2,3] and career identity development [4,5]. By performing the quasi-experimental research design, researchers found that career exploration could effectively promote one’s career decidedness [1]. With the passage of time, individuals who engaged in career exploration can define themselves better and devote themselves to self-identification in the career environment [5]. It is of great significance to understand the antecedents of career exploration, and design the appropriate approaches to enhance students’ career exploration behavior. A more inclusive theory has been called for by scholars to better evaluate the career-related aspects of disadvantaged groups [6]; decent work is the ideal goal of working people and is an integral part of the International Labor Organization’s initiative aimed at integrating a social justice perspective into the working life of people around the world [7]

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion