The Impact of Job Anxiety on Job Search Self-efficacy Among Middle-Aged Job Seekers: The Paradox of Higher Education and social relationship competency

This study investigates the complex moderating effects of social relationship competency and education level on the relationship between job anxiety and job search self-efficacy among middle-aged job seekers. Using data from 857 participants in Seoul 50 Plus Foundation programs, analyzed with Hayes' Process Macro Model 3, a significant three-way interaction effect was found among job anxiety, social relationship competency, and education level. Specifically, within the 'Bachelor's degree or lower' group, a paradoxical relationship emerged: higher social relationship competency amplified the negative impact of job anxiety on job search self-efficacy. Conversely, the moderating effect of social relationship competency was not significant within the 'Graduate degree or higher' group. This suggests that social relationship competency does not always function as a positive buffer, but can, under certain conditions, exacerbate anxiety through social comparison or other mechanisms. This research provides a multidimensional understanding of the job-seeking process for middle-aged adults and highlights the need for tailored employment support programs that comprehensively consider their education level and social relationship competency.