{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,31]],"date-time":"2026-08-31T05:18:25Z","timestamp":1788153505255,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":44,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,31]],"date-time":"2026-08-31T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1788134400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Psychol."],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>As job opportunities become more competitive, the job search process has become a salient source of stress for college students. From a psychological perspective, differences in stress experiences are closely related to how individuals manage and expend their psychological resources.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Based on Conservation of Resources theory, this study used well established scales and conducted a survey among 900 college students from 3 universities in China. The study focused on perfectionism as an individual difference characteristic, examined the associations between its different orientations and employment stress among college students, and further explored the role of career adaptability in these associations.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The results showed different association patterns for the two forms of perfectionism. Positive perfectionism (organization- and orderliness-oriented perfectionism) was associated with lower levels of employment stress, whereas negative perfectionism was more often accompanied by higher levels of employment stress. In addition, career adaptability showed indirect associations between both forms of perfectionism and employment stress.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>These findings provide empirical evidence for understanding differences in psychological resources among college students during the job search stage and offer references for the development of related support initiatives.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1845501","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,31]],"date-time":"2026-08-31T04:28:19Z","timestamp":1788150499000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["The double-edged nature of multidimensional perfectionism: career adaptability in employment stress among college students"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"17","author":[{"given":"Jianhua","family":"Liu","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Economics and Management, Yunnan Technology and Business University","place":["Kunming, Yunnan, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Zengjun","family":"Yang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Business, Lanzhou University of Information Science and Technology","place":["Lanzhou, Gansu, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,31]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"18","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2018.00149","article-title":"Best practices for developing and validating scales for health, social, and behavioral research: a primer","volume":"6","author":"Boateng","year":"2018","journal-title":"Front. Public Health"},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"12","DOI":"10.1186\/s40359-022-00845-1","article-title":"\u201cBe perfect in every respect\u201d: the mediating role of career adaptability in the relationship between perfectionism and career decision-making difficulties of college students","volume":"10","author":"Chen","year":"2022","journal-title":"BMC Psychol."},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1051","DOI":"10.1002\/(SICI)1097-4679(199909)55:9<1051::AID-JCLP3>3.0.CO;2-1","article-title":"Chinese frost multidimensional perfectionism scale: a validation and prediction of self-esteem and psychological distress","volume":"55","author":"Cheng","year":"1999","journal-title":"J. Clin. Psychol."},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"449","DOI":"10.1007\/BF01172967","article-title":"The dimensions of perfectionism","volume":"14","author":"Frost","year":"1990","journal-title":"Cogn. Ther. Res."},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"292","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jad.2019.11.121","article-title":"Gender differences in depression, anxiety, and stress among college students: a longitudinal study from China","volume":"263","author":"Gao","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Affect. Disord."},{"key":"ref6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"123","DOI":"10.1177\/00131644231163813","article-title":"Evaluating model fit of measurement models in confirmatory factor analysis","volume":"84","author":"Goretzko","year":"2024","journal-title":"Educ. Psychol. Meas."},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1631","DOI":"10.1007\/s10648-021-09597-7","article-title":"Perfectionism in academically gifted students: a systematic review","volume":"33","author":"Grugan","year":"2021","journal-title":"Educ. Psychol. Rev."},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"100027","DOI":"10.1016\/j.rmal.2022.100027","article-title":"Partial least squares structural equation modeling (pls-sem) in second language and education research: guidelines using an applied example","volume":"1","author":"Hair","year":"2022","journal-title":"Res. Methods Appl. Linguist."},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-030-80519-7","volume-title":"A primer on Partial least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM)","author":"Hair","year":"2021"},{"key":"ref10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2","DOI":"10.1108\/EBR-11-2018-0203","article-title":"When to use and how to report the results of PLS-SEM","volume":"31","author":"Hair","year":"2019","journal-title":"Eur. Bus. Rev."},{"key":"ref11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"405","DOI":"10.1108\/IMR-09-2014-0304","article-title":"Testing measurement invariance of composites using partial least squares","volume":"33","author":"Henseler","year":"2016","journal-title":"Int. Mark. Rev."},{"key":"ref12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"456","DOI":"10.1037\/0022-3514.60.3.456","article-title":"Perfectionism in the self and social contexts: conceptualization, assessment, and association with psychopathology","volume":"60","author":"Hewitt","year":"1991","journal-title":"J. Pers. Soc. Psychol."},{"key":"ref13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"513","DOI":"10.1037\/0003-066x.44.3.513","article-title":"Conservation of resources - a new attempt at conceptualizing stress","volume":"44","author":"Hobfoll","year":"1989","journal-title":"Am. Psychol."},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"686","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jvb.2012.01.006","article-title":"Career adapt-abilities scale-China form: construction and initial validation","volume":"80","author":"Hou","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Vocat. Behav."},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"112313","DOI":"10.1016\/j.paid.2023.112313","article-title":"Perfectionism, locus of control, and academic stress among college students","volume":"213","author":"Kahn","year":"2023","journal-title":"Personal. Individ. Differ."},{"key":"ref16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"857111","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2022.857111","article-title":"Development and effectiveness verification of an online career adaptability program for undergraduate students","volume":"13","author":"Kim","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."},{"key":"ref17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"11","DOI":"10.3390\/healthcare10020288","article-title":"Job-seeking anxiety and job preparation behavior of undergraduate students","volume":"10","author":"Kim","year":"2022","journal-title":"Healthcare"},{"key":"ref18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"188","DOI":"10.25336\/csp29418","article-title":"Response to Leslie Hayduk\u2019s review of principles and practice of structural equation modeling, 4th edition","volume":"45","author":"Kline","year":"2018","journal-title":"Can. Stud. Popul."},{"key":"ref19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"932","DOI":"10.3390\/bs13110932","article-title":"The influence of positive and negative aspects of perfectionism on psychological distress in emerging adulthood: exploring the mediating role of self-compassion","volume":"13","author":"Koutra","year":"2023","journal-title":"Behav Sci (Basel)"},{"key":"ref20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"11","DOI":"10.1186\/s40359-025-02995-4","article-title":"Job search anxiety and flourishing among university students: the serial mediating effects of social support and strengths use","volume":"13","author":"Kwak","year":"2025","journal-title":"BMC Psychol."},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"896492","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2022.896492","article-title":"University students' career adaptability as a mediator between cognitive emotion regulation and career decision-making self-efficacy","volume":"13","author":"Lee","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."},{"key":"ref22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"104568","DOI":"10.1016\/j.actpsy.2024.104568","article-title":"Dealing with job search reactions: how strength of music preference predicts job seekers' stress and knowledge-skill development","volume":"250","author":"Ling","year":"2024","journal-title":"Acta Psychol."},{"key":"ref23","volume-title":"The Relationship among College Students' Employment Pressure, Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy and Career Choice Anxiety [Master]","author":"Liu","year":"2010"},{"key":"ref24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1234164","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2023.1234164","article-title":"Perfect people, happier lives? When the quest for perfection compromises happiness: the roles played by substance use and internet addiction","volume":"11","author":"Maftei","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front. Public Health"},{"key":"ref25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"95","DOI":"10.1177\/08948453241304328","article-title":"Influence of career adaptability and job control on decent work and occupational stress in a sample of apprentices","volume":"52","author":"Marcionetti","year":"2025","journal-title":"J. Career Dev."},{"key":"ref26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"17","DOI":"10.1186\/s40359-025-03652-6","article-title":"How career adaptability affects university students' job search behavior and subjective well-being: the role of career choice optimistic bias","volume":"13","author":"Ouyang","year":"2025","journal-title":"BMC Psychol."},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"18647","DOI":"10.1007\/s12144-023-04785-w","article-title":"The impact of employment stress on college students: psychological well-being during covid-19 pandemic in China","volume":"43","author":"Peng","year":"2024","journal-title":"Curr. Psychol."},{"key":"ref28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"829","DOI":"10.1007\/s10869-020-09708-1","article-title":"Shake and fake: the role of interview anxiety in deceptive impression management","volume":"36","author":"Powell","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Bus. Psychol."},{"key":"ref29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"247","DOI":"10.1002\/j.2161-0045.1997.tb00469.x","article-title":"Career adaptability: an integrative construct for life-span, life-space theory","volume":"45","author":"Savickas","year":"1997","journal-title":"Career Dev. Q."},{"key":"ref30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"661","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jvb.2012.01.011","article-title":"Career adapt-abilities scale: construction, reliability, and measurement equivalence across 13 countries","volume":"80","author":"Savickas","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Vocat. Behav."},{"key":"ref31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"25912","DOI":"10.1525\/collabra.25912","article-title":"Perfectionistic cognitions as antecedents of work engagement: personal resources, personal demands, or both?","volume":"7","author":"Schmitt","year":"2021","journal-title":"Collabra Psychol."},{"key":"ref32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2322","DOI":"10.1108\/EJM-02-2019-0189","article-title":"Predictive model assessment in PLS-SEM: guidelines for using plspredict","volume":"53","author":"Shmueli","year":"2019","journal-title":"Eur. J. Mark."},{"key":"ref33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"8","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyt.2025.1492466","article-title":"The distinct link of perfectionism with positive and negative mental health outcomes","volume":"16","author":"Simon","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front. Psych."},{"key":"ref34","first-page":"3","volume-title":"The Psychology of Perfectionism: Theory, Research, Applications","author":"Stoeber","year":"2018"},{"key":"ref35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"274","DOI":"10.1037\/aap0000299","article-title":"Role of perfectionism in the career decision self-efficacy and outcome expectations of Asian American college students","volume":"14","author":"Suh","year":"2023","journal-title":"Asian Am. J. Psychol."},{"key":"ref36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1824328","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1824328","article-title":"The relationship between perfectionism and career decision-making difficulties in college students: a chain mediation model based on core self-evaluations and psychological resilience","volume":"17","author":"Tang","year":"2026","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."},{"key":"ref37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1099","DOI":"10.2147\/prbm.S515661","article-title":"Employment stress and mental health among college graduates: exploring the mediating role of psychological resilience and moderating role of proactive personality","volume":"18","author":"Tu","year":"2025","journal-title":"Psychol. Res. Behav. Manag."},{"key":"ref38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"699461","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2021.699461","article-title":"Proactive personality as a predictor of career adaptability and career growth potential: a view from conservation of resources theory","volume":"12","author":"Wang","year":"2021","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."},{"key":"ref39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"9","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2023.1227441","article-title":"Stress and influencing factors of public health and preventive medicine students in the post-pandemic period: a cross-sectional study in Changsha, China","volume":"11","author":"Wang","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front. Public Health"},{"key":"ref40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"477","DOI":"10.1177\/1094428110366036","article-title":"Method variance and marker variables: a review and comprehensive CFA marker technique","volume":"13","author":"Williams","year":"2010","journal-title":"Organ. Res. Methods"},{"key":"ref41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"8","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2024.1363065","article-title":"Potential categories of employment stress among rural college students and their relationship to employment psychology","volume":"15","author":"Wu","year":"2024","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."},{"key":"ref42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"986070","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2022.986070","article-title":"Impact of perception reduction of employment opportunities on employment pressure of college students under COVID-19 epidemic\u2013joint moderating effects of employment policy support and job-searching self-efficacy","volume":"13","author":"Yang","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."},{"key":"ref43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1177\/21582440231206893","article-title":"\"can we get an ideal job?\": the distribution and influencing factors of the occupational stratum of Chinese college graduates","volume":"13","author":"Yu","year":"2023","journal-title":"SAGE Open"},{"key":"ref44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"395","DOI":"10.1177\/21676968241312263","article-title":"Parents' behavioural control affects Chinese college students' school burnout and perceived employment stress: different effects via self-oriented, other-oriented, and socially prescribed perfectionism","volume":"13","author":"Zhang","year":"2025","journal-title":"Emerg. Adulthood"}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Psychology"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1845501\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,31]],"date-time":"2026-08-31T04:28:21Z","timestamp":1788150501000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1845501\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,31]]},"references-count":44,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1845501"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1845501","relation":{},"ISSN":["1664-1078"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1664-1078","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,31]]},"article-number":"1845501"}}