Gender-Specific Models of Work-Bound Korean Adolescents’ Social Supports and Career Adaptability on Subsequent Job Satisfaction

Abstract

A Korean national database, the High School Graduates Occupational Mobility Survey, was used to examine the influence of perceived social supports (family and school) and career adaptability on the subsequent job satisfaction of work-bound adolescents 4 months after their transition from high school to work. Structural equation modeling analysis revealed that social supports indirectly influenced job satisfaction by enhancing career adaptability. Perceived school support and family support were found to be highly correlated with each other, indicating individuals are cognitively consistent in their perceptions of environmental supports. Gender differences existed on all chosen variables (except for career planning), with women reporting greater levels than men. A significant gender difference was also found in the relationship between career adaptability and job satisfaction. Men were more influenced by career adaptability in experiencing job satisfaction than women. Interpretations of these findings were shared in light of career development theory and Korean culture.

Career Adaptability: The Influence of Readiness and Adaptation Success in the Education Context: a Literature Review

“…However,the results of studies in Korea obtained different results, men expressed higher in career adaptability than women. This possibility is related to greater family responsibilities than women and the quality of support from the family (Han & Rojewski, 2015). Based on the results of this study gender seems to be influenced by cultural factors.…”

“…The research results, social support (Hirschi, 2009;Tian & Fan, 2014;(Han & Rojewski, 2015), school support (Tian & Fan, 2014;Han & Rojewski, 2015).…”

“…Research results, high social support is a strong predictor in career adaptability (Hirschi, 2009;Tian & Fan, 2014;(Han & Rojewski, 2015). School support, the support of clinical learning environments at nurses has a positive correlation between career adaptability sub scales (Tian & Fan, 2014;Han & Rojewski, 2015). High levels of parental support and low levels of parental intervention will affect career exploration which will predict career adaptability.…”

“…Based on research (Hirschi, 2009;Hirschi, 2010;Han & Rojewski, 2015), who have examined the relationship between demographic characteristics with career adaptability in educational contexts. Demographic characteristics that are seen are age, gender, experience as class leader, education level of parents and associated with career adaptability.…”

“…Based on gender, men are more confident of higher abilities than women (Hirschi, 2009).Men are higher in career adaptability and experience career satisfaction than women (Han & Rojewski, 2015). At the level of education, studies conducted on vocational education nurses in China obtained a score of career adaptability…”