Impact of Paternal Job Insecurity and Youth’s Perceived Employability

This study examines the crossover effect of paternal job insecurity on youth’s perceived employability. Drawing from crossover and conservation of resources theories, we posit that paternal job insecurity is negatively related with youth’s perceived employability through paternal career support. As well, we hypothesize that maternal financial contribution to the household attenuates the negative relationship between paternal job insecurity and paternal career support, and youth’s identification with father strengthens the positive relationship between paternal career support and youth’s perceived employability. Data were collected from a sample of undergraduate students and their fathers. Results supported the crossover effect of paternal job insecurity on youth’s perceived employability through paternal career support. The negative relationship between paternal job insecurity and paternal career support was weaker when maternal financial contribution to the household was higher. The positive relationship between paternal career support and youth’s perceived employability was stronger for youth who identify strongly with father. The indirect effect of paternal job insecurity on youth’s perceived employability through paternal career support was strongest when maternal financial contribution to the household was lower and youth’s identification with father was higher. Implications of the findings are discussed.