Perceived discrimination and employment anxiety among impoverished students in Chinese higher vocational colleges: roles of relative deprivation and rumination

Abstract Objective This study investigated the relationship between perceived discrimination and employment anxiety among economically disadvantaged students in Chinese higher vocational colleges (HVCs), exploring the underlying mechanisms through an indirect statistical pathway involving relative deprivation and rumination. Methods We surveyed 1,703 economically disadvantaged enrolled students from five higher vocational college in Jiangsu Province, China. Participants completed the Perceived Discrimination Scale, the Employment Anxiety Scale, the Relative Deprivation Scale, and the Rumination Scale. Results (1) perceived discrimination is significantly and positively associated with employment anxiety among these students; (2) relative deprivation exerted an indirect statistical effect in the relationship between perceived discrimination and employment anxiety; (3) rumination also had an indirect statistical effect in this relationship; and (4) relative deprivation and rumination exerted a significant indirect statistical effect on the pathway from perceived discrimination to employment anxiety. Conclusion Perceived discrimination is not only a key external factor contributing to employment anxiety but also indirectly through the pathways of relative deprivation and rumination. Therefore, mitigating the psychological effects of perceived discrimination requires addressing students’ maladaptive cognitive patterns. Concurrently, creating a favorable employment environment is also essential. Together, these strategies are vital for both alleviating and preventing employment anxiety among this student population.