Disentangling the link between perceiving a calling and living a calling

J Couns Psychol. 2013 Apr;60(2):219-27. doi: 10.1037/a0031934. Epub 2013 Feb 25.

Abstract

Research has suggested there is an important distinction between perceiving a calling and living a calling. With a sample of 542 working adults, the current study examined (a) the degree to which perceiving a calling and living a calling differed according to yearly income and level of educational attainment and (b) potential mediators that may explain the link between perceiving a calling and living a calling. Adults with higher yearly incomes and more education were significantly more likely to endorse living a calling, but no significant group differences were found for perceiving a calling. Additionally, using structural equation modeling, work volition was found to be a significant mediator in the link between perceiving a calling and living a calling, and organizational support was found to be a significant mediator in the link between work volition and living a calling. The strength and significance of these indirect effects were supported by bootstrapping techniques. We suggest that part of the reason people with a calling feel more able to live out that calling is because of increased feelings of control in their career decision making. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aspirations, Psychological*
  • Career Choice*
  • Decision Making, Organizational
  • Educational Status*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Income
  • Internal-External Control
  • Job Satisfaction*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Psychological
  • Organizational Culture
  • Social Perception
  • Social Support
  • United States
  • Volition
  • Young Adult