Abstract

This study sought to examine the mechanism of how grit, defined by persistence and passion for long-term goals, affects job satisfaction. Specifically, we explored the relationship between grit and Goal-Current Work Congruence and job satisfaction. Second, the mediating effect of Goal-Current Work Congruence was investigated in the relationship between grit and job satisfaction. Third, we looked at the moderating effect of socioeconomic status in the relationship between grit and Goal-Current Work Congruence. Fourth, the moderated mediation effect of socioeconomic status was verified in the process of grit influencing job satisfaction through Goal-Current Work Congruence. The data of 269 workers in Korea was collected via online survey. Findings were as follows: First, grit positively predicted job satisfaction, which was partially meditated by Goal-Current Work Congruence. Second, the socioeconomic status was verified to moderate the mediating effect of Goal-Current Work Congruence between grit and job-satisfaction, which is moderating mediation. To be specific, the lower the socioeconomic status, the greater the indirect effect of grit on job satisfaction. If socioeconomic status was high, the indirect effect of grit was not significant. Based on these findings, the implications and limitations of this study and directions for future research were discussed.