Calling, vocational development, and well being: A longitudinal study of medical students

The present study investigated the relation of calling to the vocational development and well-being of a sample of medical students. Students were surveyed at two time points: prior to beginning the first year of medical school and prior to beginning the third year of medical school. At each time point, calling moderately correlated with positive vocational development and life meaning. At Time 2, participants had higher levels of vocational development relative to Time 1 and lower levels of calling and life satisfaction relative to Time 1. Calling at Time 1 did not significantly predict vocational development or life meaning at Time 2. However, vocational development and life meaning at Time 1 each significantly predicted calling at Time 2. Students who were able to view their lives as more meaningful and advanced in their vocational development over time also endorsed higher levels of a career calling. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Research highlights
► Students were surveyed prior to their first year of medical school and prior to their third year of medical school.
► At each time point, calling moderately correlated with life meaning and vocational development.
► At Time 2, students endorsed greater vocational development and lower life meaning and calling relative to Time 1.
► Vocational development and life meaning at Time 1 each significantly predicted calling at Time 2.