Core self-evaluations, perceived employability, labour market knowledge, and life satisfaction: a two-wave intervention study in vulnerable unemployed adults

Purpose This study examines the psychological processes underpinning subjective well-being and perceived employability among vulnerable unemployed adults participating in structured reemployment interventions. Specifically, it investigates changes in key psychological resources over time and explores how individual and intervention-related resources jointly contribute to post-intervention outcomes, using a two-wave research design. Design/methodology/approach Unemployed adults participated in a multi-component reemployment programme combining group-based job club activities with individualised career counselling. Two questionnaires were administered at baseline (T0) and after the intervention (T1). A moderated mediation model was tested in which perceived employability at T1 mediated the relationship between core self-evaluations at T0 and life satisfaction at T1, while perceived labour market knowledge at T1 moderated the path from core self-evaluations to perceived employability. In addition, pre–post comparisons were conducted to assess mean-level changes over time. Findings Results supported the hypothesised model. Perceived employability at T1 was involved in a significant indirect association between core self-evaluations at T0 and life satisfaction at T1, and perceived labour market knowledge at T1 moderated the predictive effect of core self-evaluations at T0 on perceived employability at T1. Paired-sample t-tests further indicated significant improvements in perceived employability, perceived labour market knowledge, and life satisfaction between T0 and T1. Originality/value This study offers a dual contribution by documenting changes associated with participation in a reemployment intervention in employability- and well-being-related outcomes and by advancing an explanatory model that clarifies how personal resources and contextual labour market knowledge jointly support post-intervention adjustment.