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How Youth May Find Jobs: The Role of Positivity, Perceived Employability, and Support from Employment Agencies

Author

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  • Chiara Consiglio

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
    Chiara Consiglio and Pietro Menatta contributed equally to this work.)

  • Pietro Menatta

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
    Chiara Consiglio and Pietro Menatta contributed equally to this work.)

  • Laura Borgogni

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Guido Alessandri

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Lucia Valente

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Gian Vittorio Caprara

    (Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Youth unemployment is a relevant issue among most European countries; therefore, it is important to understand its individual and situational determinants. This study aimed to investigate a conceptual model that explains the associations among positivity (POS), perceived support from employment agencies, perceived employability (PE), and employment status in a sample of 317 unemployed Italian youth involved in the Youth Guarantee program. In particular, this study investigated the relationships between POS and PE and between PE and employment. Moreover, we analyzed whether the relationship between POS and employment status was mediated by PE and whether the relationship between POS and PE was moderated by perceived support from employment agencies. Results showed that PE totally mediated the relationship between POS and employment status. Furthermore, the moderating role of perceived support from agencies was confirmed; when high, it boosted the relationship between POS and PE. In sum, this study contributes to understanding the key impact of POS on PE, as well as the role played by employment agencies as a “catalyst” of this relationship, allowing, with their support, unemployed youth to maximize their opportunity to find a job. Implications for both research and practice are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Chiara Consiglio & Pietro Menatta & Laura Borgogni & Guido Alessandri & Lucia Valente & Gian Vittorio Caprara, 2021. "How Youth May Find Jobs: The Role of Positivity, Perceived Employability, and Support from Employment Agencies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:16:p:9468-:d:620111
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    References listed on IDEAS

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