The Effect of Psychological Capital on Work Readiness of Final-Year Students in Bandung City

Authors

  • Amos Psychology, Universitas Informatika dan Bisnis Indonesia
  • Evi Srinur Hastuti Psychology, Universitas Informatika dan Bisnis Indonesia
  • Nida Muthi Annisa Psychology, Universitas Informatika dan Bisnis Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37278/insearch.v25i1.1520

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the influence of Psychological Capital (Psycap) on work readiness in final-year university students in Bandung City. This study used a quantitative approach involving 220 final-year university students in Bandung City. Sampling was conducted using a non-probability sampling method, specifically purposive sampling, with the following criteria: final-year undergraduate students, aged 18–25, and with no prior work experience. Data were collected via a Google Form to provide easy access for respondents. The variables were measured using the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ) for Psycap and the Work Readiness Scale (WRS) for work readiness. Both instruments demonstrated high reliability, with Cronbach's Alpha values of 0.904 and 0.889, respectively. Data analysis was performed using simple linear regression with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version  26. The results show that Psycap has a positive and significant influence on work readiness. The contribution of Psycap to work readiness is 50.6%, while the remaining percentage is influenced by other factors. This finding implies that improving Psycap (which includes self-efficacy, optimism, hope, and resilience) can effectively enhance students' work readiness. The practical implication of this study is the need for educational institutions to develop psychological intervention programs to prepare students holistically, not just academically, before they enter the workforce.

References

Succi, C., & Canovi, M. (2020). Soft skills to enhance graduate employability: Comparing students and employers’ perceptions. Studies in Higher Education, 45(9), 1834–1847.

Arnett, J. J. (2015). Emerging adulthood: The winding road from the late teens through the twenties (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.

CNN Indonesia. (2024, Juli 2). 1,01 juta sarjana di Indonesia jadi pengangguran. CNN Indonesia. https://www.cnnindonesia.com/ekonomi/20250702143029-92-1246079.

Kurniawan, H. (2023). Tantangan Kurikulum Pendidikan Tinggi di Indonesia dalam Menghadapi Dunia Kerja: Perspektif Akademik dan Praktis. Triwikrama: Jurnal Multidisiplin Ilmu Sosial, 2(5), 112–125.

Arnett, J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American Psychologist, 55(5), 469–480.

Caballero, C. L., Walker, A., & Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, M. (2011). The Work Readiness Scale (WRS): Developing a measure to assess work readiness in college graduates. Journal of Teaching and Learning for Graduate Employability, 2(1), 41–54.

Luthans, F., Avolio, B. J., Avey, J. B., & Norman, S. M. (2007). Positive psychological capital: Measurement and relationship with performance and satisfaction. Personnel Psychology, 60(3), 541–572.

Baluku, M. M., Mugabi, E. N., Nansamba, J., Matagi, L., Onderi, P., & Otto, K. (2021). Psychological capital and career outcomes among final year university students: The mediating role of career engagement and perceived employability. International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology, 6(1), 55-80.

Ward, V. G., Riddle, D. I., & Lloyd, D. (2004). Maximizing employment readiness. NATCON Papers, 1–6.

Brady, T. (2010). Work readiness: A framework for employability. Journal of Career Assessment, 18(4), 452–463.

Avey, J. B., Reichard, R. J., Luthans, F., & Mhatre, K. H. (2011). Meta-analysis of the impact of positive psychological capital on employee attitudes, behaviors, and performance. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 22(2), 127–152.

Alowayid, R. H. A. (2025). Writing persistence: Investigating the interplay between Saudi EFL profiles of grit, buoyancy and self-efficacy and their impact on writing achievement and working memory [Doctoral dissertation, University of Southampton]. ePrints Soton.

Norouzi Ajirloo, R., Soleymanpor, M., & Sadeghi, M. (2024). Examining the relationship between Islamic management and social tolerance with emphasis on the mediating role of psychological capital. Journal of Islamic Management and Sociology, 6(3).

Putri, A. F., & Aulia, F. (2024). The influence of psychological capital on work readiness in diploma level undergraduates at Padang State University with gender as a moderating variable. Trend: International Journal of Trends in Global Psychological Science and Education, 1(4), 161–174.

Santoso, S. (2001). SPSS: Mengolah Data Statistik Secara Profesional. Jakarta: PT Elex Media Komputindo.

Ghozali, I. (2018). Aplikasi Analisis Multivariate dengan Program IBM SPSS 25. Semarang: Badan Penerbit Universitas Diponegoro.

Syaila, S. (2017). Hubungan antara Self-Efficacy dengan Kesiapan Kerja pada Mahasiswa Tingkat Akhir. Jakarta: Universitas Negeri Jakarta.

Junita, S., & Mulyana, O. P. (2021). Hubungan antara Regulasi Emosi dengan Kesiapan Kerja pada Mahasiswa Tingkat Akhir di Masa Pandemi COVID-19. Jurnal Penelitian Psikologi, 8(2), 1-11.

Judge, T. A., & Bono, J. E. (2001). Relationship of core self-evaluations traits—self-esteem, generalized self-efficacy, locus of control, and emotional stabilitywith job satisfaction and job performance: A meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86(1), 80–91.

Luthans, F., Youssef-Morgan, C. M., & Avolio, B. J. (2015). Psychological capital and beyond. Oxford University Press.

Sari, K., & Wibowo, A. (2018). Hubungan antara Self-Efficacy dengan Kesiapan Kerja pada Mahasiswa Tingkat Akhir. Jurnal Pendidikan Ekonomi dan Bisnis, 6(1), 45-53.

Rahmi, F., & Hidayati, F. (2020). Modal Psikologis dan Kesiapan Kerja pada Mahasiswa Tingkat Akhir. Jurnal Empati, 9(1), 61-68.

Hidayati, N., & Setyowati, Y. D. (2021). Hubungan antara Resiliensi dengan Kesiapan Kerja pada Mahasiswa Tingkat Akhir. Jurnal Psikologi, 14(1), 1-10. (Atau sesuaikan dengan nama jurnal spesifik tempat naskah ini dipublikasikan).

Amalia, R., & Sa’id, M. (2023). Self-Efficacy dan Kesiapan Kerja pada Mahasiswa Tingkat Akhir. Jurnal Penelitian Psikologi, 10(1), 125-135.

Downloads

Published

2026-04-28

Issue

Section

Articles