A Study on the Relationship between Gratitude Disposition and Job-Seeking Anxiety in Young Adults: Mediating Effects of Cognitive-Emotional Regulation Strategies and Failure Tolerance

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study is to analyze the mediating effects of cognitive-emotional regulation strategies and failure tolerance in the relationship between gratitude disposition and job-seeking anxiety. For this purpose, data were collected using self-reported questionnaires from 342 early adulthood youths, aged 22-29, who reported that they were actively engaging in job-search activities. Process macro v3.4 was used to test the mediating model. The results showed that the mediating effect of maladaptive cognitive- emotional regulation strategies in the relationship between gratitude disposition and job-seeking anxiety was statistically significant. However, the mediating effects of adaptive strategies and failure tolerance were both insignificant. In addition, the dual-mediated effect of adaptive/maladaptive cognitive-emotional regulation strategies and failure tolerance between gratitude disposition and job-seeking anxiety was statistically significant. Such results indicate the need for interventions to develop capabilities to cope with and respond to failure appropriately in relieving job-seeking anxiety. Therefore, improving gratitude and enhancing failure tolerance may protect job-seeking early adulthood youths from anxiety, which has implications for clinical interventions.