Job-Seeking Stress, Mental Health Problems, and the Role of Perceived Social Support in University Graduates in Korea

BACKGROUND: Increases in unemployment and suicide in the young Korean population have recently become major social concerns in the country. The purpose of this study was to examine mental health status in young job seekers and identify sociodemographic factors related to job-seeking stress, depression, and suicidal ideation. We also explored the mediating effect of depression on the relationship between job-seeking stress and suicidal ideation and examined whether social support moderated this effect. METHODS: In total, 124 university graduates completed the Job-Seeking Stress Scale, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Descriptive statistics were calculated for participants' general characteristics, and t-tests or analyses of variance, correlation analysis, simple mediation analysis, and mediated moderation analysis were performed. RESULTS: Of the 124 participants, 39.5% and 15.3% exhibited clinical levels of depression and suicidal ideation, respectively. Sociodemographic factors (i.e., sex, academic major, educational expenses loan, and willingness to accept irregular employment) were associated with job-seeking stress, depression, and suicidal ideation. Women and graduates who were willing to accept irregular employment exhibited high levels of job-seeking stress, depression, and suicidal ideation. Job-seeking stress affected suicidal ideation via depression, and perceived social support moderated the effect of job-seeking stress on depression and the effect of depression on suicidal ideation. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that depression management and interventions are urgently required for young job seekers, and social support should be provided to assist them both emotionally and economically.

Moderating Effects of Career Decision-making Self-efficacy and Social Support in the relationship between Career Barriers and Job-seeking Stress among Nursing Students Preparing for Employment / 간호행정학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify whether career decision-making self-efficacy and social support provide a moderating effect between career barriers and job-seeking stress for 4th year nursing students preparing for employment. METHODS: A self report questionnaire survey was completed by 300 4th year nursing students at 6 universities located in 4 cities in Korea. Data were gathered during July, 2017 and analyzed using the SPSS 20.0 program. RESULTS: There was significant positive correlation between career barriers and job-seeking stress, and negative correlation between career decision-making self-efficacy, social support and job-seeking stress. Career decision-making self-efficacy and social support had significant moderating effects in the relationship between career barriers and job-seeking stress among nursing students preparing for employment. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that career decision-making self-efficacy and social support are important factors in reducing job-seeking stress among nursing students preparing for employment. Therefore, to understand various job-seeking stress factors among nursing students preparing for employment, consideration must be given to the development of educational programs and support systems to improve career decision-making self-efficacy and social support.

Factors Affecting Job-Seeking Stress in Nursing Students / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate what factors are affecting job-seeking stress in nursing students. METHODS: Subjects were 463 students from two 3-year and two 4-year colleges of nursing in K-Province in Korea. Data was collected from self-administered questionnaires. t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's and Spearman's correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple regression with dummy variables were used for statistical analysis of data. RESULTS: Job-seeking stress was significantly different by school system (t=2.76, p=.006), family economic status (F=3.40, p=.005), characteristics (t=1.99, p=.047), academic achievement (F=6.54, p=.002), current weight control status (t=2.23, p=.026), times of cosmetic surgery (r=.11, p=.022), self-esteem (r=-.47, p<.001) and appearance stress (r=.40, p<.001). However, after controlling for general characteristics, self-esteem, and perceived appearance stress, job-seeking stress was significantly different by grade (1st vs 3rd, beta=0.163, p<.001), academic achievement (low vs. high, beta=-0.121, p=.0321), self-esteem (beta=-0.224, p<.001), and appearance stress (beta=0.099, p<.001). The explanation power of self-esteem on job-seeking stress was greater compared with that of appearance stress. CONCLUSION: Results of this study suggest that it is necessary for nursing students to develop intervention program aimed at reducing job-seeking stress, and it would be effective to focus on improving self-esteem for them.