Reciprocal relation between authenticity and calling among Chinese university students: A latent change score approach

It is common to hear that following one's “true self” is an important means to find a calling, yet research has not directly examined this possibility. In this study, we investigate the change pattern between authenticity and calling. Specifically, we conducted a three-wave longitudinal study with 459 Chinese university students over one year and examined the reciprocal dynamic relation between authenticity (i.e., authentic living, self-alienation, and accepting external influence) and calling. Results of a bivariate latent change score model examining within-individual changes over time showed that increases in authentic living were positively correlated with increases in calling, while increases in self-alienation and accepting external influence negatively correlated with increases in calling. We also found that higher levels of authentic living significantly predicted an increase in calling over time. However, higher levels of calling predicted a decrease in authentic living. Our findings contribute to the literature on calling by suggesting a dynamic change pattern of authenticity and calling among Chinese university students.