Strength in adversity

The influence of psychological capital on job search

Bibliographic Data

ID12167659
AuthorsDon J Q Chen (Department of Management and Organization, NUS Business School National University of Singapore Singapore, corresponding author), Vivien K G Lim (0000-0002-7406-5160, Department of Management and Organization, NUS Business School National University of Singapore Singapore)
Year2012
Volume33
Issue6
Pages811-839
Publication date2012-06-25
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Organizational Behavior (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0894-3796 • E-ISSN: 1099-1379
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/job.1814
OpenAlexW2170140720
LanguageEN
Citations received36
References cited52

This study examined the influence of psychological capital on job search among displaced employees. On the basis of a sample of 179 retrenched professionals, managers, executives, and technicians, we found that psychological capital (self‐efficacy, hope, optimism, and resilience) was positively related with displaced employees' level of perceived employability, a coping resource. Perceived employability was positively related with problem‐focused and symptom‐focused coping strategies. Whereas problem‐focused coping was positively related with preparatory and active job search, symptom‐focused coping strategy was not. The relationship between psychological capital and preparatory and active job search was mediated by perceived employability and problem‐focused coping. Implications of our findings are discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Coping (psychology · Employability · Optimism · Positive psychological capital · Psychological resilience · Clinical Psychology · Emotional Intelligence and Performance · Higher Education and Employability · Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior · Psychology · Social Psychology