Trait gratitude and subjective career success: the mediating roles of growth mindset and network breadth

Abstract

Purpose

Building on the broaden-and-build theory and incorporating a self-regulatory perspective, this study examines the relationship between trait gratitude and subjective career success and investigates the mediating roles of growth mindset of work and career network breadth.

Design/methodology/approach

Time-lagged data were collected in three waves from a sample of 314 employees in China. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that trait gratitude is positively related to SCS, mediated by growth mindset of work as an indicator of psychological resources and career network breadth as an indicator of social resources. Trait gratitude is more strongly associated with network breadth (i.e., social resources) than with growth mindset (i.e., psychological resources).

Practical implications

Organizations may find trait gratitude an applicable addition to the selection criteria during the recruitment process.

Originality/value

By identifying trait gratitude as an antecedent of SCS and revealing its underlying mechanisms, the current study points to a new perspective on the study of career success.

Citation

Zhang, S., Zhao, T., Liu, X., Wei, C. and Liu, S. (2023), "Trait gratitude and subjective career success: the mediating roles of growth mindset and network breadth", Career Development International, Vol. 28 No. 3, pp. 300-313. https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-07-2022-0188