Latent Profiles of Contextual Constraints and Source-Specific Career Support Among Korean Job Seekers: Psychology of Working and Conservation of Resources Perspectives

Grounded in the Psychology of Working Theory (PWT), prior studies have examined whether social support buffers the negative effects of contextual constraints. However, findings remain inconsistent, with some patterns contradicting PWT’s buffering proposition and instead aligning with Conservation of Resources (COR) theory. To explore whether patterns consistent with these two perspectives emerge within specific subgroups, the present study adopts a person-centered approach. We examined configurations of three constraints (economic constraints, university prestige-based marginalization, and age-based marginalization) and three sources of career support (college, family, and friends) among Korean job seekers. Latent profile analysis identified four profiles: (a) advantaged-but-institutionally-unsupported, (b) disadvantaged-but-institutionally-supported, (c) disadvantaged-and-unsupported, and (d) advantaged-and-supported. Subgroup comparisons revealed that the advantaged-and-supported group showed the most positive career development outcomes, whereas the disadvantaged-and-unsupported group showed the most negative outcomes, consistent with COR’s resource gain and loss spirals. Notably, the disadvantaged-but-institutionally-supported group showed higher occupational engagement and job search behaviors than the advantaged-but-institutionally-unsupported group. These findings suggest that patterns consistent with PWT’s buffering proposition may emerge in subgroups characterized by moderate constraints and college-based career support. However, no profile with extreme constraints and high support was identified, underscoring the need to ensure equitable access to institutional support for individuals facing substantial constraints.