Perceived over-qualification of primary school teachers and its impact on career satisfaction—A empirical study based on the survey data

Abstract

Based on the Personality-Job Fit Theory (PJFT), the mismatch of personality-job may cause over-qualification, and perceived over-qualification (POQ) may have a negative impact and affect career satisfaction (CS). This study conducted a questionnaire survey of 404 elementary school teachers in Fujian Province, China, and used the Two-way ANOVA and hierarchical multiple regression analysis to research primary school teachers’ POQ and the relationship between POQ and CS. The results of empirical research show that primary school teachers’ POQ is at the medium level. POQ of primary school teachers has a negative effect on CS, while professional self-identity (PSI) has the mediating effect on the relationship between POQ and CS. In addition, the study also found that new primary school teachers with high educational qualification have a relatively higher POQ, while older primary school teachers with low educational qualification have a relatively lower POQ.