Abstract
Perceiving work as a calling has been positioned as a key pathway to enhancing work-related well-being. However, no formal theory exists attempting to explain predictors and outcomes of living a calling at work. To address this important gap, this article introduces a theoretical, empirically testable model of work as a calling - the Work as Calling Theory (WCT) - that is suitable for the contemporary world of work. Drawing from research and theory in counseling, vocational, multicultural, and industrialorganizational psychology, as well as dozens of quantitative and qualitative studies on calling, the WCT is presented in three parts: (a) predictors of living a calling, (b) variables that moderate and mediate the relation of perceiving a calling to living a calling, and (c) positive (job satisfaction, job performance) and potentially negative (burnout, workaholism, exploitation) outcomes that result from living a calling. Finally, practical implications are suggested for counselors and managers, who respectively may seek to help clients and employees live a calling.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 423-439 |
Number of pages | 17 |
Journal | Journal of counseling psychology |
Volume | 65 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2018 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2018 American Psychological Association.
Keywords
- Calling
- Job satisfaction
- Theoretical model