The influence of gratitude and personality traits on career resilience and career success among college students

Abstract

Introduction
The study examines the interplay between gratitude and career success, with career resilience as the mediating mechanism and personality traits, i.e., conscientiousness and extraversion, as moderating factors. The overarching goal is to enhance our understanding of the complex dynamics that influence career outcomes of college students in China.

Methods
Data are gathered through a survey-based technique, capturing responses from a diverse sample of participants. The analysis employs Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to explore the relationships among gratitude, career resilience, personality traits, and career success.

Results
The results reveal that gratitude impacts students’ career success through the mediating mechanism of career resilience. In addition, conscientiousness and extraversion are found to positively intervene the direct effect between gratitude and career resilience and the indirect effect between gratitude and career success through career resilience.

Discussion
The findings offer valuable insights for individuals, organizations, and career development practitioners, emphasizing the importance of cultivating gratitude and recognizing the differential impact of personality traits on this process. As organizations seek to foster resilient and successful career paths, acknowledging these nuanced dynamics can inform targeted interventions and strategies.

Full text

Frontiers in Psychology 01 frontiersin.org
The influence of gratitude and
personality traits on career
resilience and career success
among college students
KaiZhao
1,2* and WennaJi
2
1 Mokwon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea, 2 Enrollment and Employment Center, Nanning
College of Technology, Guilin, Guangxi, China
Introduction: The study examines the interplay between gratitude and career
success, with career resilience as the mediating mechanism and personality
traits, i.e., conscientiousness and extraversion, as moderating factors. The
overarching goal is to enhance our understanding of the complex dynamics
that influence career outcomes of college students in China.
Methods: Data are gathered through a survey-based technique, capturing
responses from a diverse sample of participants. The analysis employs Structural
Equation Modeling (SEM) to explore the relationships among gratitude, career
resilience, personality traits, and career success.
Results: The results reveal that gratitude impacts students’ career success through
the mediating mechanism of career resilience. In addition, conscientiousness
and extraversion are found to positively intervene the direct eect between
gratitude and career resilience and the indirect eect between gratitude and
career success through career resilience.
Discussion: The findings oer valuable insights for individuals, organizations,
and career development practitioners, emphasizing the importance of cultivating
gratitude and recognizing the dierential impact of personality traits on this process.
As organizations seek to foster resilient and successful career paths, acknowledging
these nuanced dynamics can inform targeted interventions and strategies.
KEYWORDS
gratitude, personality traits, extraversion, conscientiousness, career resilience, career
success
Introduction
In the pursuit of academic and professional achievements, career success emerges as a
crucial goal for college students, signicantly inuencing their future prospects. is objective
is particularly paramount among Chinese college students, where the pursuit of career success
gains heightened importance due to the intensely competitive and dynamically evolving job
market in China (Yang etal., 2022; Zhong etal., 2022). Prior research has delved into various
antecedents of career success, highlighting the roles of academic achievements (Kraimer etal.,
2019), networking (Davis etal., 2020), and personality traits such as conscientiousness and
extraversion (Spurk etal., 2019; Lei etal., 2021) in shaping individuals’ career trajectories.
Despite these insightful contributions, a signicant gap remains in understanding the inuence
of gratitude on career outcomes. Gratitude, a profound appreciation for the positive aspects
OPEN ACCESS
EDITED BY
Ernesto Lodi,
University of Sassari, Italy
REVIEWED BY
Bojan Obrenovic,
Zagreb School of Economics and
Management, Croatia
Dan-Cristian Dabija,
Babeș-Bolyai University, Romania
*CORRESPONDENCE
Kai Zhao
zhaokai541006@163.com
RECEIVED 17 November 2023
ACCEPTED 22 March 2024
PUBLISHED 24 April 2024
CITATION
Zhao K and Ji W (2024) The influence of
gratitude and personality traits on career
resilience and career success among college
students.
Front. Psychol. 15:1340200.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1340200
COPYRIGHT
© 2024 Zhao and Ji. This is an open-access
article distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution License
(CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction
in other forums is permitted, provided the
original author(s) and the copyright owner(s)
are credited and that the original publication
in this journal is cited, in accordance with
accepted academic practice. No use,
distribution or reproduction is permitted
which does not comply with these terms.
TYPE Original Research
PUBLISHED 24 April 2024
DOI 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1340200

Zhao and Ji 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1340200
Frontiers in Psychology 02 frontiersin.org
of life, is well-documented for its benecial impact on overall well-
being (Bono et al., 2020). However, its direct implications for
enhancing career success, especially among the youth in China, have
not been extensively explored.
To address this research gap, the present study is designed to
illuminate the nuanced relationship between gratitude and career
success among Chinese college students. Career success is
conceptualized as the progress toward and achievement of
educational and professional development objectives (Pshembayeva
etal., 2022). is includes the acquisition of knowledge and skills
relevant to future employment, the development of professional
identity and purpose, and the enhancement of employability
attributes, such as career adaptability and readiness for the transition
to the workforce. is construct is particularly vital for college
students as it signies the culmination of their academic eorts and
marks a critical juncture in their professional lives. e emphasis on
gratitude arises from its recognized capacity to engender a positive
perspective and psychological fortitude (Bono etal., 2022), which are
crucial for successfully navigating the complexities of the
contemporary job market. is investigation proposes that gratitude
can signicantly inuence the career trajectories of students by
fostering an optimistic outlook and enhancing their adaptability and
perseverance in the face of career challenges. By weaving together
gratitude and career success, the current research endeavors to enrich
the career development discourse with fresh insights, elucidating the
role of positive psychological attributes in advancing career outcomes.
In addition, the study examines the intermediary role of career
resilience in the direct relationship between gratitude and career
success. e rationale for investigating the mediating mechanism of
career resilience in the context of Chinese college students stems
from the critical importance of understanding how individuals
navigate the complexities and challenges inherent in their career
trajectories (Rivera etal., 2021; Tokbaeva and Achtenhagen, 2023).
Career resilience, dened as the ability to adapt positively to adverse
career events, setbacks, and uncertainties (Brewer etal., 2019),
emerges as a key factor that can signicantly inuence one’s capacity
to rebound from setbacks and sustain a successful career path (Su
etal., 2022). e study of career resilience is paramount, especially
in the context of Chinese students, given the highly competitive and
rapidly changing nature of the job market (Zeng etal., 2022). To
delve into the intricacies of career resilience, the transactional theory
of stress and coping (TTSC) provides a theoretical foundation. e
TTSC theory proposed by Lazarus and Folkman (1984) posits that
individuals engage in ongoing transactions with their environment,
appraising and reappraising stressors while employing coping
mechanisms to manage the challenges they encounter.
Understanding career resilience through the lens of this theoretical
framework allows for a nuanced exploration of how Chinese college
students navigate the stressors inherent in their academic and
professional pursuits, shedding light on the adaptive processes that
contribute to sustained career success. Investigating the mediating
role of career resilience in the relationship between gratitude and
career success provides a holistic perspective on the dynamic
interplay of these factors in the unique context of Chinese higher
education and career development.
Moreover, the study anticipates that personality traits:
conscientiousness and extraversion serve as the moderating
factors that underpin the association between gratitude and career
resilience (and then career success). The intervening role of
personality traits recognizes the individual differences that shape
how college students respond to the interplay between gratitude,
career resilience, and career success. Personality traits, specifically
conscientiousness and extraversion, are crucial factors influencing
how individuals approach their academic and professional
endeavors (Zandi Payam and Mirzaeidoostan, 2019). The
selection of these particular personality traits is grounded in their
established psychological significance and their proven impact on
behavior and outcomes in both academic and professional
settings. Conscientiousness, characterized by diligence, reliability,
and a strong sense of duty, directly influences an individual’s
ability to set, pursue, and achieve career-related goals with
persistence and discipline (Diener and Lucas, 2019). Extraversion,
marked by sociability, assertiveness, and enthusiasm, facilitates
networking and interpersonal interactions, which are critical for
navigating and succeeding in competitive job markets (Oshio
etal., 2018).
e integration of conscientiousness and extraversion as
moderating factors is rooted in the premise that these traits
signicantly aect how individuals engage with their environment,
process experiences, and implement coping strategies (Steiner etal.,
2023). For instance, conscientious students may bemore adept at
leveraging gratitude to enhance their career resilience, applying a
methodical approach to overcoming obstacles and capitalizing on
opportunities. Similarly, extraverted students might use their
gratitude-driven positive outlook to foster relationships and networks
that bolster their career progress.
is nuanced exploration is informed by the theoretical and
empirical underpinnings that suggest personality traits play a pivotal
role in shaping individuals’ interactions with their psychological
resources and external opportunities. By examining how
conscientiousness and extraversion moderate the relationship
between gratitude and career outcomes, the study aims to provide a
deeper, more detailed understanding of the psychological
mechanisms at play. is approach does not merely recognize
individual dierences as a factor in career development but actively
investigates how these dierences mediate the eect of gratitude on
career resilience and success (Jiang etal., 2019). erefore, the
inclusion of personality traits as moderators seeks to elucidate the
interplay of internal dispositions and external inuences, oering
valuable insights into personalized strategies for career development
within the context of Chinese higher education. is alignment with
contemporary research reinforces the signicance of a multifaceted
exploration of career outcomes, where personality traits are
considered integral to the formulation of eective, individualized
career development interventions.
e ensuing sections of this paper systematically explore the
theoretical underpinnings and empirical investigations that frame our
study. Initially, wedelve into a comprehensive literature review, focusing
on the transaction theory of stress and coping, to contextualize the
mediating role of career resilience and the inuence of gratitude and
personality traits on career success. is is followed by a detailed
exposition of our methodology, outlining the sampling procedures,
research instruments, and analytical techniques employed. Subsequent
sections present the results of our analysis, revealing the relationships
among the study variables. Finally, the discussion synthesizes our ndings
within the broader spectrum of career development research, highlighting
theoretical implications, practical applications, and avenues for future
inquiry in the context of Chinese higher education.

Zhao and Ji 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1340200
Frontiers in Psychology 03 frontiersin.org
Literature review
Transaction theory of stress and coping
e TTSC, proposed by Lazarus and Folkman (1984), is a
prominent psychological framework that oers valuable insights into
the dynamic processes through which individuals perceive and
respond to stressors. According to TTSC, stress is a result of an
individual’s subjective appraisal of an event or circumstance and the
coping strategies they employ to manage it (Meraz etal., 2023). is
theory distinguishes between primary appraisal, involving the
evaluation of a situation’s signicance, and secondary appraisal,
focusing on one’s perceived ability to cope (Lee and Roberts, 2018).
Coping mechanisms can be problem-focused, aimed at directly
addressing the stressor, or emotion-focused, designed to manage the
emotional response. Previous studies applying TTSC have highlighted
its ecacy in understanding how individuals navigate stressors in
various life domains, including academia and the workplace (Shen
and Slater, 2021).
In the context of career development, TTSC has been instrumental
in elucidating the processes by which individuals adapt to and cope
with challenges, shaping their overall career outcomes. For instance,
research has shown that individuals with eective coping strategies, as
guided by TTSC, are better equipped to manage career-related
stressors, leading to increased job satisfaction and success (Lazarus
and Folkman, 1984). In our study, TTSC serves as a conceptual
underpinning to explore how Chinese college students appraise and
cope with career-related stressors, particularly through the lens of
gratitude, personality traits, and career resilience. Incorporating
gratitude into the TTSC framework, our study extends its application
to the context of career development among Chinese college students.
Gratitude, a positive emotional state acknowledging the benets
received from others (Kaniuka etal., 2021), can signicantly inuence
both the primary and secondary appraisal processes identied by
TTSC. In the realm of career development, gratitude may prompt
individuals to perceive career-related challenges more positively,
potentially viewing them as opportunities for growth rather than
insurmountable obstacles. is optimistic appraisal could enhance the
eectiveness of coping strategies, as individuals grounded in gratitude
are likely to engage in more constructive problem-solving and
emotional regulation practices.
erefore, in our exploration of how gratitude, alongside
personality traits such as conscientiousness and extraversion, aects
career resilience and success, TTSC provides a robust theoretical lens
through which the mediating eects of career resilience can
beunderstood. By weaving gratitude into the fabric of TTSC, weaim
to illuminate the nuanced ways in which a grateful disposition can
fortify students’ resilience to career stressors, thereby facilitating a
pathway to career success. is integration seeks to oer a holistic
view of the psychological assets that buer against career-related stress
and contribute to the thriving career trajectories of Chinese
college students.
Gratitude and career success
e relationship between gratitude and career success accentuates
a transformative perspective in the pursuit of career development.
Gratitude, characterized by a profound appreciation for received
benets and positive life experiences, extends beyond mere emotional
well-being to signicantly impact an individual’s professional
trajectory (Armenta etal., 2017). is positive psychological construct
fosters resilience, adaptability, and a proactive orientation toward
career challenges and opportunities. In the context of career success,
gratitude equips individuals with the mental and emotional fortitude
to navigate the complexities of their professional paths (Arora and
Rangnekar, 2016), which enables them to seize opportunities, cultivate
meaningful relationships, and approach their career aspirations with
optimism and persistence. Consequently, individuals who practice
gratitude are likely to experience enhanced job satisfaction, greater
professional achievements, and a more fullling career journey (Kong
etal., 2015; Saylors etal., 2020). By promoting a positive outlook and
a gratitude-centric mindset, individuals can transform their career
experiences, aligning personal values with professional goals, thereby
achieving a heightened sense of career success. is relationship
between gratitude and career success highlights the pivotal role of
positive psychological resources in shaping not just the trajectory but
the quality of one’s professional life. e current study seeks to explore
the boundary eects of the gratitude–career success relationship by
analyzing the mediating role of career resilience and moderating role
of personality traits.
Hypotheses
Linking gratitude with career resilience
e link between gratitude and career resilience is a crucial aspect
of our study, as it delves into the dynamics that shape the adaptive
responses of Chinese college students to career-related challenges.
Gratitude, characterized by a positive recognition and appreciation of
life’s positive aspects, serves as a psychological resource that can
potentially enhance individuals’ ability to cope with setbacks and
uncertainties in their professional journeys (Kong et al., 2015). As
students encounter obstacles or face uncertainties in their career
paths, a disposition of gratitude may contribute to a more optimistic
outlook, fostering a mindset conducive to resilience (Bono et al.,
2022). When individuals experience gratitude, they may bemore
likely to view challenges as opportunities for growth and learning
rather than insurmountable obstacles. is positive cognitive appraisal
aligns with the core principles of career resilience, which involves the
ability to adapt positively to adverse career events (Ismail and Rishani,
2018). Gratitude, by fostering a positive mindset, may thus play a
pivotal role in inuencing how Chinese college students navigate and
bounce back from setbacks in their academic and professional
pursuits. Previous studies have acknowledged the potential links
between positive psychological constructs, including gratitude, and
adaptive coping mechanisms. For instance, the work of Mary and
Patra (2015) suggests that gratitude is associated with increased
resilience in the face of stress. Extending this understanding to the
career domain, our study aims to explore the specic pathways
through which gratitude contributes to the cultivation of career
resilience among Chinese college students.
Furthermore, building on the TTSC, which posits that stress
results from individuals’ appraisals of their circumstances and their
subsequent coping responses (Meraz et al., 2023), gratitude can

Zhao and Ji 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1340200
Frontiers in Psychology 04 frontiersin.org
beunderstood as a critical resource that inuences these appraisals in
a positive way. Gratitude encourages a positive reinterpretation of
challenging situations, which can lead to more eective coping
strategies (Bono etal., 2022). Specically, gratitude may promote a
problem-focused coping approach (Gaeta et al., 2021), where
individuals are more likely to take proactive steps toward goal
achievement and career advancement, viewing obstacles as
manageable and as opportunities for growth. us, within the TTSC
framework, gratitude acts as a lever, positively aecting both the
appraisal of career challenges and the selection of coping mechanisms,
ultimately paving the way for career success. us, wehypothesize that:
H1. ere is a signicant positive relationship between gratitude
and career resilience.
Linking career resilience with career
success
e connection between career resilience and career success
forms a critical nexus in understanding how individuals, particularly
Chinese college students, navigate the complexities of their
professional journeys. Career resilience, dened as the ability to adapt
positively to adverse career events, provides individuals with the
psychological resources necessary to persevere and rebound from
setbacks (Finley, 2018). In the context of career success, the adaptive
capacities inherent in career resilience become instrumental.
Individuals who can eectively cope with challenges, setbacks, and
uncertainties in their careers are likely to exhibit greater perseverance,
adaptability, and a proactive approach (Seibert etal., 2016), all of
which are conducive to achieving sustained success. Numerous studies
have underscored the positive impact of career resilience on various
indicators of career success. For instance, research by Xia etal. (2011)
found that career resilience positively correlates with career
satisfaction and job performance. Additionally, individuals with
higher levels of career resilience are more likely to demonstrate career
progression, achieve career goals, and sustain overall job satisfaction
(Han et al., 2021). In the context of Chinese college students,
understanding the link between career resilience and success is crucial.
In addition to these arguments, wedraw our insights on the basis
of TTSC (Lazarus and Folkman, 1984). Career resilience, as
conceptualized within the TTSC framework, represents an individual’s
adaptive capacity to navigate career-related stressors eectively
(Longoria, 2023). is capacity is cultivated through a combination of
problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies (Zhang etal.,
2022), enabling individuals to maintain or regain their footing in the
face of challenges. e theory suggests that the way individuals
appraise career stressors—viewing them as manageable and as
opportunities for growth (Lazarus and Folkman, 1984)—can
signicantly enhance their resilience. is resilience, in turn, facilitates
career success by empowering individuals to pursue their career goals
persistently, adapt to changes, and recover from setbacks more swily
and eectively.
e linkage between career resilience and career success,
therefore, is underpinned by the transactional processes outlined in
TTSC. Individuals with high career resilience are likely to engage in
more eective coping strategies, as they are better prepared to assess
stressors positively and employ adaptive responses. is proactive
engagement with career challenges not only mitigates the adverse
eects of stress but also promotes career advancement, satisfaction,
and achievement. us, wehypothesize that:
H2. ere is a signicant positive relationship between career
resilience and career success.
The mediating role of career resilience
Subsequently, the study predicts the mediating role of career
resilience between gratitude and career success. Within the TTSC
framework, career resilience assumes a pivotal mediating role in our
study, providing insights into the dynamic processes through which
gratitude inuences career success among Chinese college students.
As per TTSC, individuals engage in continuous transactions with their
environment, appraising stressors and employing coping strategies to
manage challenges (Lazarus and Folkman, 1984). In this context,
gratitude, as a positive cognitive and emotional response, is likely to
inuence the primary appraisal of career-related stressors, potentially
framing them as opportunities for growth.
Career resilience, acting as a mediating factor in this transactional
process, reects the adaptive coping mechanisms individuals deploy
to navigate these stressors eectively. Gratitude, by fostering a positive
outlook and adaptive mindset, is expected to inuence how Chinese
college students appraise and cope with challenges in their academic
and professional pursuits. is positive cognitive appraisal, in turn, is
likely to bolster career resilience, enabling individuals to bounce back
from setbacks and persist in the face of adversity. By exploring the
mediating role of career resilience within the TTSC framework, our
study seeks to unravel the nuanced pathways through which gratitude,
guided by cognitive appraisals and coping mechanisms, contributes to
sustained career success among Chinese college students. is
approach aligns with TTSC’s emphasis on the transactional nature of
stress and coping, providing a comprehensive understanding of the
interplay between psychological factors and adaptive responses in the
pursuit of successful careers. us, wehypothesize that:
H3. Career resilience mediates the relationship between gratitude
and career success.
Moderating role of personality traits
Personality traits, as enduring dimensions of individual dierences
in behavior, cognition, and emotion, are fundamental to
understanding how individuals approach and navigate life’s challenges
(Diener and Lucas, 2019). Within the Five-Factor Model (FFM) of
personality, conscientiousness and extraversion are two prominent
traits. Conscientious individuals are characterized by traits such as
organization, reliability, and goal-directed behavior, reecting a
proactive and disciplined approach to tasks (Oshio et al., 2018).
Extraversion encompasses sociability, assertiveness, and a propensity
for positive engagement in social activities, signifying a more outgoing
and energetic disposition (Arora and Rangnekar, 2016). Previous

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Frontiers in Psychology 05 frontiersin.org
research has established the crucial role of conscientiousness and
extraversion in shaping adaptive responses to stressors and challenges.
For instance, conscientiousness has been linked to eective coping
strategies and resilience in various life domains (Meléndez etal.,
2020). Likewise, extraversion, with its emphasis on social engagement
and assertiveness, is associated with enhanced interpersonal skills and
positive outcomes in social contexts (Lo etal., 2022).
In the context of our study, conscientiousness and extraversion are
proposed as moderators in the relationship between gratitude and
career resilience among Chinese college students. Drawing on existing
literature, research by Baek (2017) suggests that conscientious
individuals may exhibit a greater capacity to cope with stressors,
emphasizing the importance of conscientiousness in shaping adaptive
responses. Additionally, the study of Shaheen et al. (2015)
demonstrates that extraversion is linked to positive outcomes in the
workplace, indicating its potential to inuence adaptive behaviors and
resilience. In the context of career development, research by Sari
(2020) highlights the role of conscientiousness in predicting job
performance, suggesting its relevance to outcomes in professional
domains. Besides, extraversion has been associated with success in
leadership roles and positive workplace outcomes (Wilmot et al.,
2019). Applying these insights to our study, we posit that
conscientiousness and extraversion might moderate the relationship
between gratitude and career resilience among Chinese college
students. Conscientious individuals, with their disciplined and goal-
oriented nature, may amplify the positive eects of gratitude on career
resilience, aligning with their proactive approach to challenges.
Similarly, individuals high in extraversion, with their social acumen,
may leverage interpersonal resources to enhance the positive impact
of gratitude on building resilient networks. By exploring these
moderating eects, our study contributes to the growing body of
literature on the role of personality traits in shaping adaptive responses
to stressors and challenges, particularly within the unique context of
Chinese higher education and career development.
Integrating the TTSC (Lazarus and Folkman, 1984) with the
concept of personality traits as moderators oers a comprehensive
framework to understand how individual dierences inuence the
stress-coping process and, subsequently, career outcomes. TTSC
posits that stress and coping involve an individual’s appraisal of
stressors and their capacity to manage these challenges through
various coping strategies (Saylors etal., 2020). Personality traits can
signicantly aect both components of this process: the appraisal of
stressors and the selection of coping mechanisms.
e moderating role of personality traits, such as conscientiousness
and extraversion, becomes particularly relevant in this context.
Individuals high in conscientiousness, characterized by diligence,
responsibility, and organized behavior, may appraise potential career
stressors more positively, seeing them as opportunities for growth and
development (Sari, 2020). is positive appraisal could lead to more
eective problem-focused coping strategies, aligning with TTSC’s
emphasis on the adaptive management of stress. Conscientious
individuals are likely to beproactive in planning and executing actions
to mitigate stressors, thereby enhancing their career resilience
and success.
Similarly, extraversion, which encompasses sociability,
assertiveness, and enthusiasm, may inuence the emotional-focused
coping component of TTSC. Extraverted individuals tend to have
larger social networks and are more likely to seek support from others
when faced with stress (Steiner etal., 2023), an emotion-focused
coping strategy. is propensity can serve as a buer against the
negative impacts of career-related stress, facilitating better
psychological well-being and, by extension, more positive career
outcomes. us, wehypothesize that:
H4. Personality traits: (a) conscientiousness and (b) extraversion,
moderate the relationship between gratitude and career resilience,
such that individuals high in these traits will more likely
beexhibiting superior career resilience.
Integrating the moderating role of personality traits in Hypothesis
H4 with the mediation model (Hypothesis H3), wepropose the
following hypothesis:
H5. Personality traits: (a) conscientiousness and (b) extraversion,
moderate the relationship between gratitude and career success
through career resilience, such that individuals high in these traits
will more likely be experiencing superior career success via
career resilience.
e proposed conceptual model is shown in Figure1.
Methodology
Sampling and procedures
In this study, data were collected from students enrolled in
Chinese educational institutions. is adheres to the strategic decision
driven by the relevance of the proposed model to the cultural and
educational context of China. Ample research suggests that cultural
nuances signicantly inuence individuals’ perceptions of gratitude,
coping mechanisms, and personality traits (Brewer etal., 2019). By
focusing on Chinese college students, our study aligns with the
growing recognition that cultural backgrounds can shape the
dynamics of psychological processes and responses (Bono etal., 2022).
is choice ensures that the ndings resonate with the specic
challenges and opportunities inherent in the Chinese higher education
system, contributing to a more contextually grounded understanding
of the relationships within the proposed model.
To ensure the representativeness of the sample, random sampling
was employed. According to Saunders (2012), random sampling
possesses the capacity to yield a sample that mirrors the characteristics
of the larger population. is approach enhances the generalizability
of the study’s ndings to the broader population of Chinese college
students. Besides, by employing random sampling, the study aims to
minimize selection bias and strengthen the external validity of
the results.
Moreover, the data collection process utilized a cross-sectional
research design. e cross-sectional design allows for the simultaneous
examination of gratitude, personality traits, career resilience, and
success within a specic timeframe. e use of cross-sectional data
aligns with the study’s goal of providing a comprehensive but time-
specic understanding of the proposed model. In total, 500 survey
responses were distributed, with 444 returned and processed for data
analysis, ensuring a robust dataset for examining the interplay of these
variables among Chinese college students.

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e sample exhibited a balanced gender distribution, with 53%
identifying as male and 47% as female. In terms of academic standing,
37% were undergraduate students, 40% pursuing graduate studies,
and 23% engaged in post-graduate programs. e participants’
average age was 26 years, with a standard deviation of 5.23. Regarding
the eld of study, the respondents represented a broad spectrum of
disciplines, with 32% aliated with social sciences, 39% with natural
sciences, and 29% with engineering.
Research design
e research design of our study is structured as a quantitative
investigation employing a cross-sectional survey methodology. is
approach was selected for its eciency in capturing a snapshot of the
relationships between gratitude, personality traits, career resilience,
and career success among Chinese college students at a specic point
in time. By utilizing structured questionnaires, the study aims to
collect data from a large, diverse sample, enabling the statistical
analysis of variables and the exploration of potential correlations and
inuences. e choice of a cross-sectional design facilitates the
examination of the proposed hypotheses within a dened timeframe
that oers insights into the dynamics at play without the need for
longitudinal tracking. is methodology aligns with the study’s
objectives to explore complex psychological constructs and their
impact on career development outcomes, and provides a robust
framework for analysis and interpretation within the context of
Chinese higher education.
Research instrument
e research instrument to measure the hypothesized
relationships among variables has been adapted from previous
studies and measured on a 5-point Likert scale. e value 1 indicates
a complete disagreement, while the value 5 indicates a complete
agreement. Gratitude was measured using a 6-items scale developed
by McCullough etal. (2001), with sample items: “I have so much in
life to bethankful for” and “when Ilook at the world, Ido not see
much to begrateful for.” For measuring career resilience, Carson
and Bedeian’s (1994) career commitment scale was used which
consisted of 4-items. For instance, “the cost associated with my line
of work/career eld sometimes seem to great” and “given the
problems Iencounter in this line of work/career eld, Isometimes
wonder if the personal burden is worth it.” e mini-international
personality item pool scale (Mini-IPIP) adapted from Donnellan
et al. (2006) was used to measure personality traits:
conscientiousness (4-items) and extraversion (4-items). For
example, “get chores done right away” and “talk to a lot of dierent
peoples.” Career success was measured with a 5-items scale
developed by Greenhaus et al. (1990), with sample items: “I
amsatised with the success Ihave achieved in my career” and “I
amsatised with the progress Ihave made toward meeting my goals
for the development of new skills.”
Results
Measurement model assessment
e study utilized the SmartPLS-SEM technique, a multivariate
data analysis approach, to investigate the associations between the
study’s variables (Ringle et al., 2022). In order to analyze the
measurement model, the researchers performed an analysis to
assess the psychometric properties: average variance extracted
(AVE) to assess the convergent validity and Fornell-Larcker
criterion and heterotrait-monotrait (HTMT) ratio to investigate the
discriminant validity. To examine the presence of multicollinearity
and mitigate any common method biasness (CMB), the study
employed the variance ination factor (VIF). e investigation
yielded values below 3.3, indicating the absence of any problems
related to CMB (Table1).
During the initial phase, an evaluation is conducted to assess
the psychometric properties of the data, with the aim of establishing
the study’s reliability and validity. According to Hair etal. (2018),
the utilization of Cronbach’s alpha and composite reliability (CR) is
Gratude
Career
resilience
Career
success
Conscien-
ousness
Extraver-
sion
H1 H2
H3
H4a
H4b
H5a
H5b
FIGURE1
Conceptual model.

Zhao and Ji 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1340200
Frontiers in Psychology 07 frontiersin.org
recommended as appropriate approaches for evaluating reliability.
Cronbach (1951) established that the appropriate range for the
cuto value falls within 0.70–0.95. Furthermore, it is recommended
for social scientists to employ assessment methods to gage the
robustness of their research, particularly by utilizing techniques like
convergent and discriminant validity assessments. Convergent
validity refers to the extent of a positive association between a
measurement and additional measurements that evaluate the same
underlying construct (Hair etal., 2018). e utilization of AVE
scores is employed, where a value greater than 0.5 indicates a
signicant level of shared variance between the items or indicators
and their corresponding concept. e analytical ndings are
displayed in Table2, which shows that all the values are above the
acceptable range.
Moreover, discriminant validity concerns the extent to which a
specic construct can bedistinguished from others using empirical
measures (Hair etal., 2018). e Fornell-Larcker criteria (Table3)
indicates that all constructs—gratitude, career resilience,
conscientiousness, extraversion, and career success—demonstrate
adequate discriminant validity, as the square root of the Average
Variance Extracted (AVE) for each construct (diagonal values) is
greater than its correlation with any other construct
(o-diagonal values).
In addition, to assess discriminant validity, researchers also rely
on the HTMT ratio, as suggested by Henseler etal. (2009), which is
considered a robust indicator of discriminant validity. When HTMT
values are below 0.85 (HTMT < 0.85), it signies that a variable
possesses distinctive attributes and encapsulates a phenomenon that
is not adequately represented by other variables within the model. e
outcomes of this investigation are presented in Tables 3, 4.
Structural model assessment
Aer conrming the validity of the measurement model, the
research progressed to assess the structural model in the subsequent
phase. e study utilized a non-parametric bootstrapping method:
bias-corrected and accelerated (BCa) technique. e BCa
bootstrapping technique was implemented with a resample size of
5,000. e objective of this analysis was to get the values of path
coecients (β) and their accompanying t-values. e results of the
present study, as illustrated in Table5, indicate a statistically signicant
positive association between the gratitude and career resilience
(β = 0.499; t > 1.95; p < 0.05), as well as between career resilience and
career success (β = 0.541; t > 1.95; p < 0.05). ese ndings lend support
to Hypotheses 1 and 2.
Moreover, the study hypothesized that career resilience serves as
a mediator in the relationship between gratitude and career success.
e study obtained point estimates of the indirect eect using the BCa
bootstrapping technique, using 5,000 resamples. e ndings
presented in Table 5 indicate that there is a substantial mediating
impact of career resilience in the relationship between gratitude and
career success. e statistical analysis shows that this relationship has
a beta coecient of 0.301, with a t-value greater than 1.95, and a
p-value less than 0.05. ese results support the existence of
complementary mediation (Hair etal., 2018). erefore, Hypothesis
3 has been conrmed.
e study presented a moderated mediation model and
subsequently investigated the moderating inuence of
conscientiousness and extraversion using a two-stage approach (Hair
etal., 2018). e ndings of this analysis suggest that the interaction
between gratitude and conscientiousness has a statistically signicant
positive eect on career resilience (β = 0.268; t > 1.95; p < 0.05) and
career success through career resilience (β = 0.310; t > 1.95; p < 0.05),
providing support for Hypotheses 4a and 5a. Moreover, the interaction
between gratitude and extraversion has a statistically signicant
positive eect on career resilience (β = 0.332; t > 1.95; p < 0.05) and
career success through career resilience (β = 0.374; t > 1.95; p < 0.05),
providing support for Hypotheses 4b and 5b. Furthermore, following
the recommendations proposed by Dawson (2014), the researcher also
produced graphical depictions of fundamental slope interaction
eects to enhance comprehension of the associations between
TABLE1 Collinearity assessment.
Gratitude Career resilience Conscientiousness Extraversion Career success
Gratitude 1.95 1.10
Career resilience 2.01
Conscientiousness 2.42 2.15
Extraversion 0.87 1.03
Career success
TABLE2 Reliability and convergent validity.
Cronbach’s alpha Composite reliability
(rho_a)
Composite reliability
(rho_c)
Average variance
extracted (AVE)
Gratitude 0.735 0.788 0.838 0.566
Career resilience 0.796 0.839 0.872 0.650
Conscientiousness 0.812 0.859 0.886 0.613
Extraversion 0.865 0.920 0.923 0.601
Career success 0.803 0.848 0.865 0.631

Zhao and Ji 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1340200
Frontiers in Psychology 08 frontiersin.org
gratitude and career success through career resilience. ese
associations are inuenced by career resilience and are further
moderated by conscientiousness and extraversion. Graphical
representations in Figures2–5 provide visual depictions of the eects
of interaction terms. e utilization of simple slope analysis oers
empirical evidence in favor of the hypothesized moderated mediation
model. e ndings of this study suggest that conscientiousness and
extraversion play substantial roles in intensifying the relationship
between gratitude and career success through career resilience, and
vice versa.
Moreover, the researchers also examined the R
2
, a statistical
measure that assesses the predictive capacity of the model. e
computation involves determining the squared correlation between
the observed and estimated values of a specic endogenous
component (Hair et al., 2018). e observed values of R
2
career
resilience (0.447) and career success (0.551) indicate a moderate level
of inuence on the variability of endogenous variables. Furthermore,
the researchers evaluated the predictive performance of the model by
conducting tests on the root mean square error (RMSE). ey then
compared the RMSE values obtained from the partial least squares
structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with those produced from
the linear regression model (LM). e results indicate that the
majority of the indicators of PLS-SEM RMSE demonstrate reduced
prediction errors in comparison to LM RMSE, suggesting that the
structural model possesses a reasonable level of predictive power.
Finally, the study assessed the SRMR (Standardized Root Mean
Square Residual) value to check the model t in the study. An SRMR
value of 0.062 falls below the commonly accepted threshold of 0.08,
indicating a good t between the model and the observed data. is
suggests that the discrepancies between the predicted and observed
covariance matrices are minimal.
Discussion
e study investigates the interplay among gratitude, personality
traits, career resilience, and career success among Chinese college
students. e ndings illuminate the mediating role of career
resilience, illustrating how the positive emotions associated with
gratitude contribute to the development of adaptive coping
mechanisms crucial for navigating the challenges of academic and
professional pursuits. Additionally, conscientiousness and
extraversion emerge as signicant moderators, inuencing the
strength and nature of the relationships within the proposed model.
e study nds that conscientious individuals may intensify the
positive eects of gratitude on career resilience, emphasizing the
importance of proactive approaches to challenges. Similarly,
individuals high in extraversion may leverage their social skills to
enhance the positive impact of gratitude, creating a robust connection
between gratitude, career resilience, and ultimately, career success.
e discussion integrates these ndings within the broader context
of existing research on personality traits, gratitude, and career
outcomes, oering insights for future interventions and strategies
aimed at fostering resilient and successful career paths among
Chinese college students. Our study’s ndings are in harmony with
previous studies and extends the existing body of knowledge in
numerous ways, for instance:
H1: ere is a signicant positive relationship between gratitude
and career resilience.
is hypothesis aligns with the broaden-and-build theory
(Fredrickson, 2001), positing that positive emotions, such as gratitude,
broaden individuals’ cognitive and behavioral repertoires, resulting in
increased psychological resources. In the context of career
development, the positive relationship between gratitude and career
resilience suggests that the aective and cognitive benets of gratitude
may contribute to the cultivation of adaptive coping mechanisms
crucial for navigating the challenges in one’s academic and professional
journey. Besides, this nding resonates with the work of Armenta etal.
(2017), which demonstrates the role of positive emotions, including
gratitude, in enhancing resilience to stressors. By examining the
inuence of gratitude on Chinese students’ career resilience, our study
advances the current line of inquiry in predicting students’ endurance
TABLE3 Fornell-Larcker criteria.
Gratitude Career resilience Conscientiousness Extraversion Career success
Gratitude 0.752
Career resilience 0.535 0.801
Conscientiousness 0.381 0.583 0.782
Extraversion 0.389 0.291 0.483 0.775
Career success 0.692 0.601 0.774 0.699 0.794
TABLE4 HMT ratio.
Gratitude Career resilience Conscientiousness Extraversion Career success
Gratitude
Career resilience 0.435
Conscientiousness 0.353 0.573
Extraversion 0.562 0.701 0.573
Career success 0.635 0.691 0.694 0.489

Zhao and Ji 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1340200
Frontiers in Psychology 09 frontiersin.org
to life’s challenges and their coping mechanism to deal with them
based on their gratitude levels.
H2: ere is a signicant positive relationship between career
resilience and career success.
e second hypothesis is in accord with the self-ecacy theory
(Bandura, 1977), which proposes that individuals with a higher sense
of resilience are more likely to possess a robust belief in their capability
to overcome challenges and succeed in their careers. Moreover, the
positive association between career resilience and career success aligns
with research by Ahmad etal. (2019), Rossier et al. (2017), and
Sharma and Tiwari (2023), emphasizing the positive impact of
resilience on job performance. is theoretical perspective suggests
that the adaptive responses fostered by resilience contribute to
sustained success in the face of career-related obstacles. e
combination of these hypotheses suggests the mediating role of career
resilience in the association between gratitude and career success.
H3: Career resilience mediates the relationship between gratitude
and career success.
e mediation hypothesis is consistent with the TTSC (Lazarus
and Folkman, 1984), which highlights the ongoing interaction between
individuals and their environment in shaping responses to stressors.
e mediating role of career resilience suggests that the positive eects
of gratitude on career success are channeled through individuals’
adaptive coping strategies. is is in line with previous studies
emphasizing the mediating role of resilience in various life domains
(Ang etal., 2022; Liang etal., 2023; Xiao etal., 2023), extending this
understanding to the specic context of career development.
H4: Personality traits (a) conscientiousness and (b) extraversion,
moderate the relationship between gratitude and career resilience,
such that individuals high in these traits will more likely
beexhibiting superior career resilience.
e moderating role of personality traits harmonizes with the
resource-based model of stress and coping (Hobfoll, 1989), positing
that conscientiousness and extraversion function as personal
resources that enhance individuals’ coping capacity. e moderation
eect implies that these traits amplify the positive impact of gratitude
on career resilience. is resonates with Nandkeolyar etal.’s (2014),
Pérez-Chacón etal. (2023), and Weiß etal. (2022) ndings, indicating
that conscientious individuals may deploy more eective coping
strategies, thereby contributing to superior resilience. Subsequently,
the study also nds that conscientiousness and extraversion positively
TABLE5 Hypotheses testing.
Path βt-value p-value R2Results
Direct eects
H1 Gratitude  career resilience 0.499*** 9.540 0.000 0.447 Accept
H2 Career resilience  career success 0.541*** 10.262 0.000 0.551 Accept
Mediation model (indirect eects)
H3 Gratitude  career resilience  career success 0.301*** 4.494 0.001 Accept
Moderated mediation model
H4a Gratitude × conscientiousness  career resilience 0.268*** 3.117 0.003 Accept
H4b Gratitude × extraversion  career resilience 0.332*** 5.732 0.000 Accept
H5a Gratitude × conscientiousness  career resilience  career success 0.310*** 6.800 0.000 Accept
H5b Gratitude × extraversion  career resilience  career success 0.374*** 7.512 0.000 Accept
***Signicant at p < 0.05 (1.96).
FIGURE2
Moderation (1).
FIGURE3
Moderated mediation (1).

Zhao and Ji 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1340200
Frontiers in Psychology 10 frontiersin.org
intervene the association between gratitude and career success via
career resilience, such that at high levels of conscientiousness and
extraversion the indirect relationship between gratitude and career
success via career resilience is more potent and vice versa. is is
validated by our empirical ndings such that:
H5: Personality traits (a) conscientiousness and (b) extraversion,
moderate the relationship between gratitude and career success
through career resilience, such that individuals high in these traits
will more likely be experiencing superior career success via
career resilience.
e h hypothesis extends the understanding of the TTSC
(Lazarus and Folkman, 1984) by incorporating personality traits into
the process. e moderation eect suggests that conscientiousness
and extraversion inuence not only the direct relationship between
gratitude and career success but also the indirect pathway through
career resilience. is echoes with previous research highlighting the
inuence of personality traits on positive workplace outcomes
(Srivastava etal., 2015; Smith and DeNunzio, 2020; Mihalache and
Mihalache, 2022) and reiterates the interplay of individual
characteristics in shaping successful career paths.
Conclusion
is study, rooted in the TTSC, illuminates the crucial roles of
gratitude and personality traits in bolstering career resilience and
success among Chinese college students. e ndings reveal that
gratitude acts as a signicant psychological resource, enhancing
individuals’ capacity to navigate career challenges eectively, while the
moderating eects of personality traits such as conscientiousness and
extraversion further underpin these outcomes. ese insights advocate
for the integration of positive psychological constructs into career
development strategies, emphasizing the need for personalized
approaches based on individual personality proles.
Theoretical implications
e theoretical implications of this study extend signicantly
within the realm of career development and positive psychology, and
oers a nuanced understanding of how gratitude and personality traits
inuence career resilience and success. By integrating the TTSC with
constructs of gratitude and personality traits, this research illuminates
the interplay between an individual’s psychological resources and their
career trajectory. Specically, the study highlights gratitude as a pivotal
psychological asset that can enhance an individual’s capacity to
positively appraise and cope with career-related stressors, thereby
fostering career resilience. is nding enriches the TTSC by
demonstrating how positive emotions can function as critical
components in the appraisal and coping processes, oering a broader
perspective on the theory’s applicability beyond stress and coping to
include career development outcomes.
Moreover, the study’s exploration of the moderating eects of
personality traits, particularly conscientiousness and extraversion, on
the relationship between gratitude and career resilience introduces a
signicant theoretical advancement. Our study suggests that the
impact of gratitude on career resilience and success is not uniform
across individuals but is inuenced by their inherent personality
characteristics. is insight contributes to the personality psychology
literature by providing empirical evidence on the role of individual
dierences in the eectiveness of psychological resources like
gratitude. Inferring upon these insights, we also call for a more
personalized approach in career counseling and development
programs, emphasizing the importance of tailoring interventions to
align with individuals’ personality proles to optimize
career outcomes.
Furthermore, the ndings oer a compelling argument for the
inclusion of positive psychological constructs, such as gratitude, in
the discourse on career success and resilience. By evidencing the
direct and indirect pathways through which gratitude aects career
resilience and success, the study expands the conceptual boundaries
of career development theories. Further, it invites future researchers
to consider positive psychological resources as integral components
of career development models, potentially leading to more holistic
approaches that account for the interplay between an individual’s
psychological makeup and their professional growth. In doing so,
this study paves the way for future empirical investigations and
theoretical discussions on the synergistic eects of psychological
well-being and career-oriented behaviors in shaping successful
career paths.
FIGURE4
Moderation (2).
FIGURE5
Moderated mediation (2).

Zhao and Ji 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1340200
Frontiers in Psychology 11 frontiersin.org
Practical implications
is study yields practical implications that extend beyond
academic discourse, oering valuable insights for individuals,
educational institutions, and career development practitioners. Firstly,
these ndings suggest that fostering a sense of gratitude among
Chinese college students could beinstrumental in enhancing their
career resilience. Wesuggest that educators and mentors may consider
incorporating gratitude-focused interventions or workshops to
promote a positive mindset that facilitates adaptive coping with the
challenges inherent in academic and professional pursuits.
Additionally, the study advocates for the implementation of career
resilience programs tailored to the unique needs of Chinese students.
ese initiatives could include skill-building workshops, mentorship
programs, or counseling services aimed at equipping students with the
tools to bounce back from setbacks.
Furthermore, the results emphasize the importance of recognizing
the role of conscientiousness and extraversion in shaping career
resilience and success. Institutions may consider integrating
personality assessments into career development programs to help
students identify their strengths and potential areas for growth. is
personalized approach can inform targeted interventions to enhance
students’ coping strategies and interpersonal skills. e study also
recommends that organizations and employers recognize and value
these personality traits in the recruitment and professional
development processes, acknowledging their potential contributions
to career resilience and success.
e study’s implications extend to policy recommendations for
educational institutions. Policymakers may consider incorporating
positive psychology principles and resilience-building strategies into
the curriculum, promoting a holistic approach to student
development. is could involve integrating modules on gratitude,
resilience, and personality development into existing courses.
Moreover, the ndings suggest that institutional policies fostering a
positive and supportive learning environment could contribute to the
overall well-being and success of Chinese college students.
Additionally, career development practitioners are encouraged to
tailor their guidance to individual personality traits. Recognizing the
moderating inuence of conscientiousness and extraversion,
counselors and advisors can provide personalized career advice and
strategies that align with students’ unique strengths and characteristics.
Mentorship programs could be designed to match students with
mentors who share similar personality traits, fostering a more eective
and tailored support system.
In conclusion, this study’s practical implications underscore the
potential for targeted interventions and policy changes that prioritize
gratitude cultivation, resilience-building, and the recognition of
personality traits in the career development journey of Chinese college
students. ese recommendations aim to create a more supportive and
adaptive educational environment, ultimately contributing to the
holistic success and well-being of students as they embark on their
professional paths.
Limitations and future directions
While this study provides valuable insights into the relationships
between gratitude, personality traits, career resilience, and success
among Chinese college students, several limitations should
be acknowledged. Firstly, the cross-sectional nature of the data
prevents the establishment of causality. Future research employing
longitudinal designs could provide a more nuanced understanding of
the dynamic interplay between these variables over time. Secondly,
the study relies on self-report measures, which may introduce
common method bias and social desirability eects. Incorporating
objective measures or alternative assessment methods could enhance
the robustness of the ndings. Additionally, the sample predominantly
consists of Chinese college students, limiting the generalizability of
the results. Future research could explore these relationships across
diverse cultural and educational contexts to enhance the external
validity of the ndings. e study also focuses on a specic set of
personality traits (conscientiousness and extraversion). While these
traits were chosen based on theoretical relevance, future research
could investigate the inuence of other personality traits to provide
a more comprehensive understanding of the role of individual
dierences in career development (Obrenovic et al., 2022). In
addition, future studies should explore the impact of AI-based
learning on enhancing gratitude and career success among students
(Lăzăroiu, 2017; Peters et al., 2023). Additionally, investigating
occupational exibility as a factor in career resilience oers a
promising direction for understanding dynamic career paths. Lastly,
the study does not delve into the potential inuence of external
factors such as socio-economic background or cultural inuences,
which may play a role in shaping career outcomes. Considering these
factors in future research could contribute to a more nuanced
understanding of the complexities inuencing career development
among college students.
Data availability statement
e raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will
bemade available by the authors, without undue reservation.
Ethics statement
e studies involving humans were approved by Quality
Enhancement Cell (QEC), Nanning College of Technology, China.
e studies were conducted in accordance with the local legislation
and institutional requirements. e participants provided their written
informed consent to participate in this study.
Author contributions
KZ: Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal analysis,
Investigation, Writing – original dra, Writing – review & editing. WJ:
Formal analysis, Methodology, Validation, Visualization, Writing –
original dra, Writing – review & editing.
Funding
e author(s) declare that nancial support was received for the
research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. is work

Zhao and Ji 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1340200
Frontiers in Psychology 12 frontiersin.org
was supported by the 2021 Guangxi Higher Education
Undergraduate Teaching Reform Project “Research on the
Curriculum Construction of “College Students’ Career Planning and
Employment Guidance Based on the Big Five Personality eory”
(Project Number: 2021JGB473), the 2021 special key project of
Guangxi’s “14th Five-Year Plan” for Educational Science is “Research
on the Construction of Employment Guidance Curriculum for
College Students in Guangxi from the Perspective of Personality
Traits” (Project Number: 2021ZJY1106), and project to improve
basic scientic research capabilities of young and middle-aged
teachers in Guangxi colleges and universities “Research on
on-demand recruitment of freshmen in private colleges and
universities under the background of group-based school running”
(Project number: 2022KY1646).
Conflict of interest
e authors declare that the research was conducted in the
absence of any commercial or nancial relationships that could
beconstrued as a potential conict of interest.
Publisher’s note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors
and do not necessarily represent those of their aliated organizations,
or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product
that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its
manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
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