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The relationship among optimism, self-efficacy, occupational compromise, and happiness among young people in the post-Covid-19 period

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 October 2024

Orit Shamir-Balderman Open the ORCID record for Orit Shamir-Balderman [Opens in a new window] ,
Haim Shmuel Open the ORCID record for Haim Shmuel [Opens in a new window]  and
Mata Litaim
Orit Shamir-Balderman*
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology and Anthropology, The Max Stern Academic College of Emek Yezreel, Emek Yezreel, Israel
Haim Shmuel
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology and Anthropology, The Max Stern Academic College of Emek Yezreel, Emek Yezreel, Israel
Mata Litaim
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology and Anthropology, The Max Stern Academic College of Emek Yezreel, Emek Yezreel, Israel
*
Corresponding author: Orit Shamir-Balderman; Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

The current study examined how happiness is affected by optimism, self-efficacy, and occupational compromise (OC), among young workers (aged 20–30 years) in the post-Covid-19 pandemic period. A sample of 211 young people (aged 20–30 years) who were currently or formerly employed participated in the study. The research findings indicate negative correlations between (a) the optimism and self-efficacy of the employees to their OC and (b) between their OC to their sense of happiness. In addition, as hypothesized, positive correlations were found between (a) feelings of optimism and self-efficacy to the degree of happiness and (b) between optimism and self-efficacy. Finally, the study tested a mediation model that indicated optimism as a mediating variable in the relationships of self-efficacy and OC with happiness. In light of these findings, several conclusions emerged from the study. First, according to general trends in the Israeli economy, even among young workers, who make up the new generation of workers in the post-Covid-19 period, there is a reduction in the degree of OC in order to achieve happiness. But this depends on several personality elements, such as their feelings of optimism and self-efficacy. Second, in accordance with the mediation model tested in the study, it seems that optimism has a central role in enhancing happiness among young workers in the post-Covid-19 era, at the beginning of their career path. Eventually, it appears that the reduced OC and elevated happiness among young workers in the post-pandemic period, has the potential to shape the future job market as filled with content employees that can also improve their organizations’ economic output.

Keywords

optimismself-efficacyoccupational compromisehappinesspost-Covid-19 period
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Management & Organization , Volume 30 , Special Issue 6: Authentic Leadership: 20-Year Review , November 2024 , pp. 2453 - 2473
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press in association with Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management.

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