Abstract
Purpose – Life satisfaction is an ultimate goal in human existence, and it is also an important factor in the work domain. It may both trigger work-related outcomes and be influenced by work-related factors. The authors are here concerned with career satisfaction and its association with life satisfaction. From a bottom-up perspective, career satisfaction should enhance life satisfaction; from a top-down perspective, the influence should work in the reverse direction; and from an interactionist perspective reciprocal influences are conceivable. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The authors tested these perspectives in two longitudinal studies with three points of measurement each. Study 1 (n ¼ 517) covered a period of five years and Study 2 an eight-week period (n ¼ 99). The authors analyzed the data by means of latent growth curve modeling and cross-lagged analysis. Findings – Both studies revealed that life satisfaction and career satisfaction are positively associated both within and across time. The directional association between both constructs is well-represented by a top-down model; further, by a reciprocal influence model. The bottom-up model received least support. Study 2 additionally showed that work centrality is a moderator. Research limitations/implications – The authors discuss these findings with respect to both the relevance of life satisfaction in the work domain and the relationship between global and domain-specific life satisfaction. Originality/value – The present research is the first one that investigates the association between career satisfaction and life satisfaction using two longitudinal studies.
