Career calling in the work stress process: a conceptual and review analysis

Abstract

This article presents a conceptual and review analysis of the roles of career-/work-related calling in the work stress process. Theoretical foundations are the process models of calling and work stress, proposing that calling may play different roles in the work stress process. Altogether, we identified 16 quantitative and five qualitative studies exploring the associations/interplay between calling, job demands/stressors, and stress outcomes. The findings revealed no clear consensus on the roles of calling in the work stress process. In previous studies, calling has been explored as a predictor, moderator, and mediator in quantitative studies. Furthermore, calling has also played various roles in qualitative studies. We critically evaluate these earlier findings and propose avenues for future research to explore the roles of calling in the work stress process.