Open Access

ARTICLE

The Interactive Effect of Proactive Personality and Career Exploration on Graduating Students’ Well-Being in School-to-Work Transition

Wenxia Zhou¹, Mengyi Li¹, Lu Xin^2,*, Jinqiang Zhu³

1 School of Labor and Human Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
2 The College of Economics and Management, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
3 School of Management, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, China

* Corresponding Author: Lu Xin. Email:

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion 2018, 20(2), 41-54. https://doi.org/10.32604/IJMHP.2018.010737

Abstract

Based on basic psychological needs theory of self-determination theory, this study investigates the interaction effect of proactive personality and career exploration on well-being for graduating students during school-to-work transition. Using a survey sample of 216 graduating students in China, we found that: 1) Proactive personality had a positive relationship with well-being. 2) Career decision-making self-efficacy mediated the relationship between proactive personality and well-being. 3) Career exploration negatively moderated the relationship between proactive personality and career decision-making selfefficacy. The relationship between proactive personality and career decisionmaking self-efficacy was stronger when career exploration was lower. 4) Career exploration also negatively moderated the whole mediation model. When career exploration was lower, the relationship between proactive personality and wellbeing through career decision-making self-efficacy was stronger. Therefore, it is useful to cultivate individuals’ proactive personality or encourage them to conduct more career exploration behaviors to obtain career decision-making self-efficacy and well-being.

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Citations