Investigating the Relationship between Occupational Callings and Citizenship Fatigue

Abstract

The body of literature regarding occupational callings has well established the positive effects of living one’s calling. Emerging research, however, identifies the double-edged sword nature of callings or in other words, the potential negative effects living one’s calling can have in spite of the positive effects. Nevertheless, there is a lack of consensus regarding the mechanisms explaining the negative effects of callings as well as a lack of direction regarding how those living their calling may avoid or mitigate these negative effects. Drawing upon previous literature coupled with the Job Demands-Resources Model, I tested the degree to which called individuals are more susceptible to negative outcomes in the form of citizenship fatigue. I also tested a theoretical model to examine organizational citizenship behavior as the mechanism that accounts for the relationship between living a calling and citizenship fatigue. I additionally examined two moderators of this relationship: self-compassion and leader compassion. Hypotheses were tested using a two-wave survey design with 288 full-time employees. Results have implications for called individuals’ overall health and wellbeing, as well as for leaders and the company climate they foster.