Investigating the Mechanisms by Expectation Discrepancies in Alternative Employment Contexts Affect College Students’ Mental Health: The Multilevel Roles of Self-Efficacy and Social Support

Background. Grounded in Social Cognitive Career Theory researchgate, this study introduces “expectation discrepancy” into alternative employment contexts and develops a mediated–moderated model to explore the mechanisms by which the gap between college students’ employment expectations and reality affects mental health. Methods. A total of 289 valid responses were collected via an online questionnaire, and structural equation modeling (SEM) along with hierarchical regression analyses were employed to test the pathways involving expectation discrepancy, self‑efficacy, and social support. Results. The results show that expectation discrepancy negatively predicts mental health while positively predicting self‑efficacy; self‑efficacy partially mediates the relationship between expectation discrepancy and mental health; and social support significantly and positively moderates the effect of expectation discrepancy on self‑efficacy, further moderating the effect. Conclusion/Implications. This study’s innovation lies in constructing and validating a mediated–moderated model based on SCCT, providing empirical evidence to inform university career guidance, psychological intervention strategies, and related government policy‑making.