The Influence of Self-Differentiation, Major Selection Motivation and Social Support on Job-Seeking Stress in College Students

Objectives This study is a descriptive survey study to identify the degree of self-differentiation, major selection motivation, social support, and job-seeking stress among college students, and to identify their correlations and influencing factors, which can be used as a basis for developing programs to alleviate job-seeking stress. Methods Participantswere students enrolled at college located in B metropolitan city who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and ANOVA, with Scheffé tests used for post-hoc analysis. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the relationships among variables, and multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors influencing job-seeking stress. Results The results showed that job-seeking stress according to the general characteristics of the subjects was statistically significant in age, grade, department/division, and university life satisfaction. The subjects' job-seeking stress was positively related to ego differentiation, and negatively related to personal motivation, social motivation, and social support. self-differentiation and social support were identified as influential factors of the subjects' job-seeking stress. The explanatory power of these variables on job-seeking stress was 41.6%. Conclusions Self-differentiation and social support were identified as influential factors on employment stress among the participants. Future empirical studies are needed to explore specific environmental and institutional factors that can enhance social support, and to verify the effectiveness of tailored career and employment programs based on varying levels of self-differentiation.