The Association Between Intolerance of Uncertainty and Job-Seeking Anxiety: A Moderated Mediation Model

The current study examined the mediating role of perceived risk of COVID-19 and the moderating role of hope in the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and job-seeking anxiety. 812 advanced undergraduate students participated in this investigation (Mage = 21.95, SDage = 1.37; 69% female). Results indicated that intolerance of uncertainty is positively linked to job-seeking anxiety. Perceived risk of COVID-19 mediated the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and job-seeking anxiety. Hope moderated the direct path and the indirect path from perceived risk of COVID-19 to job-seeking anxiety. Specifically, the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and job-seeking anxiety became weaker for high-hope students. The results indicated that intolerance of uncertainty and perceived risk of COVID-19 serves as risk factors, while hope serves as a protective factor for job-seeking anxiety. Interventions, which reduce these two risk factors and increase this protective factor, might help to protect advanced undergraduate students from job-seeking anxiety.