Abstract

As an effort to further extend the existing understanding on the Psychology of Working Theory, this study examined gender differences in the paths to the attainment of decent work with Korean emerging adults. A total of 311 South Korean employees (mean age = 25.96, men = 94, women = 217) completed online questionnaires. We found that economic constraints inversely predicted work volition and career adaptability, which were positively relatedin turn, led to decent work. The overall indirect effect of work volition and career adaptability between economic constraints and decent work was significant., hHowever, the specific indirect effect of work volition and career adaptability was not significant. Further analyses showed a gender difference in the paths. Specifically, economic constraint was significantly negatively associated with work volition, and work volition predicted decent work only for women, but not for men. Moreover, economic constraint was significantly inversely associated with career adaptability, and career adaptability positively predicted decent work only for men, but not for women. Work volition mediated between economic constraints and decent work for women, while career adaptability had a mediating effect for men. It suggests that career resources for obtaining a decent work may be distinctive by genderdifferent groups.