The role of clarity in job-seeking behavior and upward social comparison in the relationship between career adaptability and occupational compromise

Objective: To explore the relationship between career adaptability among college students and occupational compromise, as well as the mediating role of job-seeking clarity and the moderating effect of upward social comparison. Methods: A total of 865 college students were surveyed using the College Student Career Adaptability Questionnaire (CSCAQ), Occupational Compromise Scale (CCS), Job-Seeking Clarity Measure (JSCM), and Upward Social Comparison Scale (INCOM). Results: There was a negative correlation between the scores on the CSCAQ and CCS (β = -0.28). Job-seeking clarity played a partial mediating role between career adaptability and occupational compromise, with the mediating effect accounting for 6.67% of the total effect. Upward…