Occupational stigma and career commitment: Testing mediation and moderation effects of occupational self-esteem

Abstract

This study analyses the neglected role of occupational self-esteem as an intervening mediator and moderator variable between perceived occupational stigma and career commitment. The study develops two conceptual models and several hypotheses regarding the roles of occupational stigma and occupational self-esteem on career commitment. To test the hypothesis and models, a total of 1000 responses from undergraduate tourism and hospitality management students were collected using self-report scales. The findings suggest that occupational stigma has a total negative effect, as well as direct and indirect negative effects through occupational self-esteem, on career commitment. Occupational self-esteem has a positive effect on career commitment and plays a partial mediator role between occupational stigma and career commitment. The effect of occupational stigma on career commitment is not dependent on the level of occupational self-esteem. The research has important conceptual and practical implications for increasing prospective employees' career commitment.