A longitudinal examination of the time-lagged pathways between career adaptability, career engagement, and life satisfaction

Abstract

This study aims to examine the relationships between career adaptability, career engagement, and satisfaction with life longitudinally. After matching Time 1 and Time 2, the final sample represents 168 university students. Data were obtained from the Career Adaptability Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the Career Engagement Scale. The cross-lagged panel model (CLPM) was applied for data analysis in a half-longitudinal design. The cross-lagged effect of career adaptability at Time 1 on career engagement at Time 2 was positive and significant. Also, the cross-lagged effect of career engagement at Time 1 on satisfaction with life at Time 2 was positive and significant. Career engagement longitudinally mediates the relationship between career adaptability and satisfaction with life.