Career Goal Importance as a Moderator in the Relationship Between Career Feedback and Career-Related Stress
Abstract
Based on goal-setting theory, this study examined the relationship between negative career goal feedback and career-related stress, tested whether career goal–performance discrepancy operated as a mediator in this relationship, and assessed whether career goal importance strengthened the indirect effect of negative feedback on stress via discrepancy. Using a sample of 317 health profession university students (mean age = 19.5 years), we found that negative feedback was associated positively with stress and that discrepancy mediated this relationship. Consistent with goal-setting theory, we also found that discrepancy was ...
View more >Based on goal-setting theory, this study examined the relationship between negative career goal feedback and career-related stress, tested whether career goal–performance discrepancy operated as a mediator in this relationship, and assessed whether career goal importance strengthened the indirect effect of negative feedback on stress via discrepancy. Using a sample of 317 health profession university students (mean age = 19.5 years), we found that negative feedback was associated positively with stress and that discrepancy mediated this relationship. Consistent with goal-setting theory, we also found that discrepancy was higher at higher levels of negative feedback for those with higher goal importance, and the indirect effect of negative feedback on stress through discrepancy increased with increasing goal importance. These findings highlight important roles for career goal feedback and career goal importance in young peoples’ career goal pursuit.
View less >
View more >Based on goal-setting theory, this study examined the relationship between negative career goal feedback and career-related stress, tested whether career goal–performance discrepancy operated as a mediator in this relationship, and assessed whether career goal importance strengthened the indirect effect of negative feedback on stress via discrepancy. Using a sample of 317 health profession university students (mean age = 19.5 years), we found that negative feedback was associated positively with stress and that discrepancy mediated this relationship. Consistent with goal-setting theory, we also found that discrepancy was higher at higher levels of negative feedback for those with higher goal importance, and the indirect effect of negative feedback on stress through discrepancy increased with increasing goal importance. These findings highlight important roles for career goal feedback and career goal importance in young peoples’ career goal pursuit.
View less >
Journal Title
Journal of Career Development
Note
This publication has been entered into Griffith Research Online as an Advanced Online Version.
Subject
Psychology not elsewhere classified
Specialist Studies in Education
Business and Management
Psychology