The influence of adaptability for uncertainty on turnover intention and the serial multiple mediating effect of role ambiguity and job satisfaction

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find the meaning of psychological adaptability in uncertain work environment. At first, we verified mediating effect of job satisfaction on the relationship between role ambiguity and turnover intention. To this mediating effect model, then, we added adaptability for uncertainty as an antecedent variable: a serial multiple mediating effect of role ambiguity and job satisfaction. The mediating effect of job satisfaction was verified and the serial multiple mediation effect of role ambiguity and job satisfaction was significant as well as the direct effect of adaptability for uncertainty on turnover intention. In addition, role ambiguity had mediation effect between adaptability and turnover intention, but job satisfaction did not mediate the relationship between adaptability for uncertainty and turnover intention. These results mean that, on the one hand, adaptability for uncertainty reduces turnover intention directly, and on the other hand, indirectly through role ambiguity alone or role ambiguity and job satisfaction in serial. The implication and limitations of this study were discussed.