Assessing Work as a Calling: An Evaluation of Instruments and Practice Recommendations

Ryan D. Duffy, Kelsey L. Autin, Blake A. Allan, Richard P. Douglass

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study examined the utility of five popular assessments of work as a calling. A large and diverse group of working adults completed the Calling Paragraph, Brief Calling Scale (BCS), Calling and Vocation Questionnaire (CVQ), Calling Scale (CS), and Multidimensional Calling Measure (MCM) at two time points, along with a face valid measure of having a calling (yes or no) and three work-related outcomes. All measures were found to be reliable; have strong test–retest reliability; and moderately to strongly correlate with work meaning, career commitment, and job satisfaction at Time 1 and Time 2. Confirmatory factor analyses revealed mixed evidence concerning the ability of all instruments to load onto one factor. The BCS and CVQ were the best predictors of having a calling, whereas the CS and MCM were the best predictors of work outcomes. The discussion highlights the complexities of each of these instruments in accurately assessing a calling versus a more global, positive work outlook. Recommendations are offered for researchers seeking to study work as a calling.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)351-366
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Career Assessment
Volume23
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 11 2015
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2014, © The Author(s) 2014.

Keywords

  • calling
  • job satisfaction
  • measurement

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