A moderated mediation model of trait gratitude and career calling in Chinese undergraduates: Life meaning as mediator and moral elevation as moderator

This study aimed to examine whether life meaning mediates the effect of trait gratitude on career calling in a Chinese sample. Further, we explored the moderating role of moral elevation on trait gratitude's direct and indirect effect on career calling. Using a cross-sectional design, a sample of five hundred and twelve Chinese undergraduates participated and completed measures of trait gratitude, life meaning, moral elevation, and career calling. The results showed that trait gratitude positively predicted a career calling, and life meaning mediated this pathway from trait gratitude to career calling. Moral elevation significantly moderated the mediation effect of life meaning and the direct effect of trait gratitude on career calling. Among undergraduates with low moral elevation, the indirect effect via life meaning and the direct effect of trait gratitude on career calling were significantly positive but weaker than those with high moral elevation. These results offer implications for experiencing a career calling and highlight the importance of moral elevation for grateful people to perceive their career calling.
Author(s): Feifei Li [sup.1] , Runkai Jiao [sup.1] [sup.2] , Hang Yin [sup.1] , Dan Liu [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.27446.33, 0000 0004 1789 9163, School of Psychology, Northeast Normal [...]