Living a calling and perceived work ability in domestic violence services.

Abstract

Calling involves experiencing a sense of purpose to engage in work that benefits others. We contribute to the literature by studying living a calling, which we conceptualize as a resource, to examine how and why it is related to perceived work ability (i.e., one’s perception of their ability to continue working in their current job) among women working in domestic violence services. We propose that by living out one’s calling, domestic violence services workers may perceive fewer of the salient interpersonal demands in their jobs (relationship conflict among colleagues, workplace incivility from clients served), which may partially explain a linkage to greater perceived work ability. We tested hypotheses using 2-wave survey data. The results suggest that there are direct and indirect positive relations between living a calling and perceived work ability. Workers living out their calling perceive less relationship conflict among colleagues, which partially explains the positive relation with perceived work ability. However, we did not find support for the similarly proposed mediating role of perceived client incivility. Theoretical implications for studying calling and practical implications for career counselors and organizations are discussed. For example, career counselors may consider the presence of a calling when exploring clients’ career development in domestic violence work, whereas social service providers may benefit by selecting employees for whom the work aligns with their calling and creating opportunities for their calling to be lived out to facilitate perceived work ability.

Perceiving a calling, living a calling, and calling outcomes: How mentoring matters.

“…Future scholars might wish to test whether the influence of living a calling on outcomes could be indirect through these or similar constructs, and, if so, whether this effect might be stronger among individuals in certain occupations. To this end, it is interesting to note that many studies of callings, akin to our current study of teachers, have taken an occupation-specific focus on challenging jobs where constructs such as grit and resilience might be especially beneficial (e.g., domestic violence workers, Walsh et al, 2020).…”

Occupational callings in a context of structural restrictions

“…The three components of this definition of occupational calling are similar, respectively, to three other relevant literature: meaning of life, meaningful work, and prosocial motivation at work (Walsh et al, 2020;Dik & Duffy, 2009). Studies on the meaning of life suggest that part of a life well lived is a life with meaning, in which people define their experiences considering that sense of purpose (Duan et al, 2020;Duffy et al, 2011).…”

Why Aren’t We There Yet? The Status of Research in Women’s Career Development

“…Negative vocational outcomes that IPV have on women’s careers include feelings of shame while at work for being a survivor of IPV; lowered career decision-making self-efficacy; absenteeism; and missed promotional opportunities (Albaugh & Nauta, 2005; C. Brown et al, 2000; Walsh et al, 2020; Wettersten et al, 2004). Whether or not race compounds the problem for IPV survivors of Color remains an open area of inquiry (Chronister & McWhirter, 2004).…”