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The Future Work Self and Calling: The Mediational Role of Life Meaning

Author

Listed:
  • Chunyu Zhang

    (Shaanxi Normal University
    Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Behavior & Cognitive Neuroscience)

  • Andreas Hirschi

    (University of Bern)

  • Anne Herrmann

    (University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland)

  • Jia Wei

    (Southwest University)

  • Jinfu Zhang

    (Southwest University)

Abstract

Research on calling prevailingly focuses on the positive effects on well-being and career development. However, explorations of the predictors and emergence of callings are sparse. We tested a model in which clarity about the future work self promotes one’s sense of calling through increased life meaning. We sampled 473 Chinese college students with a three-wave panel design over 1 year. Using time-lagged analysis, we found that the future work self at T1 significantly predicted increased life meaning at T2, which, in turn, significantly predicted increased calling at T3. This indirect effect was significant and supported the hypothesized longitudinal mediation model. The reverse effects of one’s calling as a predictor of self-clarity about one’s future work life or life meaning were not confirmed. Our findings suggest that among Chinese college students, self-clarity about one’s future work life and understanding one’s life meaning are two important steps in the development of one’s calling.

Suggested Citation

  • Chunyu Zhang & Andreas Hirschi & Anne Herrmann & Jia Wei & Jinfu Zhang, 2017. "The Future Work Self and Calling: The Mediational Role of Life Meaning," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(4), pages 977-991, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:18:y:2017:i:4:d:10.1007_s10902-016-9760-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-016-9760-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dobrow, Shoshana R. & Heller, Daniel, 2015. "Follow your heart or your head? A longitudinal study of the facilitating role of calling and ability in the pursuit of a challenging career," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 59408, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    2. Albert Satorra & Peter Bentler, 2001. "A scaled difference chi-square test statistic for moment structure analysis," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 66(4), pages 507-514, December.
    3. Ryan Duffy & Blake Allan & Elizabeth Bott, 2012. "Calling and Life Satisfaction Among Undergraduate Students: Investigating Mediators and Moderators," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 13(3), pages 469-479, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ya Wen & Fei Liu & Liman Pang & Huaruo Chen, 2022. "Proactive Personality and Career Adaptability of Chinese Female Pre-Service Teachers in Primary Schools: The Role of Calling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-17, April.
    2. Guangyi Xu & Zhen Li & Hongli Wang, 2021. "Supervisory Career Support and Workplace Wellbeing in Chinese Healthcare Workers: The Mediating Role of Career Commitment and the Moderating Role of Future Work Self-Salience," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-13, May.

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