The relationship between career-related social support and self-perceived employability: the chain mediating role of psychological capital and career adaptability

Self-perceived employability is becoming increasingly important for university students as they prepare to enter a rapidly changing and highly competitive job market. However, how self-perceived employability is formed remains an important and under-investigated question. Drawing on Career Construction Theory and Conservation of Resources theory, this research explored the effects of both personal and contextual factors on self-perceived employability among a sample of Iranian agriculture students. In particular, the purpose of this study was to examine the chain mediating effects of psychological capital and career adaptability between career-related social support and self-perceived employability. The results of structural equation modelling indicated that career-related social support was not directly related to self-perceived employability; however, it made an indirect effect on the self-perceived employability of agriculture university students through psychological capital and career adaptability. In addition, this study revealed that psychological capital and career adaptability play a chain mediating role in the relationship between career-related social support and a self-perceived employability. These findings suggest educators and practitioners to provide diverse career-related support and relevant career training to agriculture students. In addition, universities should establish counselling centres and provide career guidance to help students foster psychological capital and career adaptability resources.