The Relationship Between Employment Stress and Employment Anxiety Among Chinese International Students in Korean Higher Education Institutions: Focusing on the Mediating Effect of Career Adaptability

Grounded in Conservation of Resources Theory, this study examines the effect of employment stress on employment anxiety among Chinese international students enrolled in higher education institutions in Korea and investigates the mediating role of career adaptability. Data were collected through an online anonymous questionnaire from 400 Chinese students studying in Korean higher education institutions. The survey included measures of employment stress, career adaptability, and employment anxiety, all rated on a five-point Likert scale. SPSS 26.0 was used to conduct descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, independent-samples t-tests, and regression analysis, and Hayes’ PROCESS Model 4 with 5,000 bootstrap samples was applied to test the mediating effect. The results showed that employment stress positively predicted employment anxiety and negatively predicted career adaptability, while career adaptability negatively predicted employment anxiety. Career adaptability partially mediated the relationship between employment stress and employment anxiety. In addition, graduate students showed significantly higher levels of career adaptability than undergraduates. Students from rural backgrounds reported significantly higher employment stress and employment anxiety and significantly lower career adaptability than those from urban backgrounds. These findings provide empirical support for developing differentiated career guidance and psychological support programs for Chinese international students in Korean higher education institutions.