Introduction This study investigates whether and how parental job insecurity motivates emerging adults' career networking behaviors. Using the framework of ecological system theory, we particularly focus on the sequential mediating role that overparenting behavior and emerging adults' intolerance of uncertainty could play. Methods We recruit 741 fresh undergraduates (63.2% females) and their parents from the city of Jinan, Province Shandong in China. All of the participants are between the ages of 17 and 20 years. We apply a structural equation model using data obtained from multiple sources (i.e., fathers, mothers, and their children) at two time points to test our research model. Results and Conclusions The results from the structural equation model support the spillover effect of paternal and maternal job insecurity on overparenting behavior. Overparenting is significantly related to emerging adults' intolerance of uncertainty. In turn, emerging adults' intolerance of uncertainty is positively associated with their career networking behavior. The results also support the indirect effect, which demonstrates that parental job insecurity indirectly leads to emerging adults' career networking behavior via overparenting behavior and emerging adults' intolerance of uncertainty. This study builds on and extends existing research on parental job insecurity and career networking behavior by systematically bringing together the streams of research on youth development and organizational behavior. Specific theoretical implications and limitations are discussed as well.

IntroductionAs a growth background factor, family social class has far-reaching effects on youth career development. However, we have limited understanding of the role and functional mechanisms of social class in career adaptability. Based on the social cognitive theory of social class, we examine the mediating role of intolerance of uncertainty in the relationship between youths’ subjective social class and career adaptability. We also explore the moderating influences of self-esteem.MethodsData were collected from a sample consisting of 712 undergraduates (63.2% female) in China.ResultsResults show that subjective social class positively impacts career adaptability via prospective anxiety, and negatively impacts career adaptability via inhibitory anxiety. The intensity of these indirect relationships is contingent on youths’ self-esteem.DiscussionOur study illustrates the complex and paradoxical effects of social class on career adaptability and has important theoretical and practical implications. This study expands the theoretical perspective by bringing in the social cognitive theory of social class, provides novel insight into the complex interaction between individuals and the environment in youth career development, and should provide inspiration for the design of career intervention programs.