Adapt to Survive? Attenuating Indirect Effects of Career Adaptability on Exhaustion via Career Insecurity

Daniel Spurk; Annabelle Hofer; Simone Kauffeld; Luisa Barthauer; Nora Nixon

doi:10.16993/sjwop.281

Adapt to Survive? Attenuating Indirect Effects of Career Adaptability on Exhaustion via Career Insecurity

Scandinavian Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology

Volume 10 (2025): Issue 1

By: Daniel Spurk , Annabelle Hofer , Simone Kauffeld , Luisa Barthauer and Nora Nixon

Open Access

|Jun 2025

Abstract

The present study analyzed whether career adaptability is negatively related to exhaustion. Based on the conservation of resources theory, we argue that career insecurity is a connecting variable in the link between career adaptability and exhaustion. We tested our assumptions using latent structural equation modeling across three measurement points (time-lagged design, 2-year time span altogether) with data from 885 young researchers (doctoral students and post-docs) in Germany working in different disciplines. The results showed that career adaptability (T1) was negatively related to career insecurity (T2), which subsequently was positively associated with exhaustion (T3). Moreover, exhaustion (T3) was indirectly affected by career adaptability (T1) via career insecurity (T2). We discuss these results against the background of the conservation of resources and career construction theory and its implications for future career and stress research and practice.

References

Akkermans, J., & Kubasch, S. (2017). #Trending topics in careers: A review and future research agenda. Career Development International, 22(6), 586–627. 10.1108/CDI-08-2017-0143
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Akkermans, J., Richardson, J., & Kraimer, M. L. (2020). The Covid-19 crisis as a career shock: Implications for careers and vocational behavior. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 119, 103434. 10.1016/j.jvb.2020.103434
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Alisic, A., & Wiese, B. S. (2020). Keeping an insecure career under control: The longitudinal interplay of career insecurity, self-management, and self-efficacy. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 120, 103431. 10.1016/j.jvb.2020.103431
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Barthauer, L., Kaucher, P., Spurk, D., & Kauffeld, S. (2020). Burnout and career (un)sustainability: Looking into the blackbox of burnout-triggered career turnover intentions. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 117, 103334. 10.1016/j.jvb.2019.103334
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Baruch, Y., & Hall, D. T. (2004). The academic career: A model for future careers in other sectors? Journal of Vocational Behavior, 64(2), 241–262. 10.1016/j.jvb.2002.11.002
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cheung, G. W., Cooper-Thomas, H. D., Lau, R. S., & Wang, L. C. (2024). Reporting reliability, convergent and discriminant validity with structural equation modeling: A review and best-practice recommendations. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 41(2), 745–783. 10.1007/s10490-023-09871-y
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Colakoglu, S. N. (2011). The impact of career boundarylessness on subjective career success: The role of career competencies, career autonomy, and career insecurity. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 79(1), 47–59. 10.1016/j.jvb.2010.09.011
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cotter, E. W., & Fouad, N. A. (2013). Examining burnout and engagement in layoff survivors: The role of personal strengths. Journal of Career Development, 40(5), 424–444. 10.1177/0894845312466957
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
De Vos, A., Van der Heijden, B. I. J. M., & Akkermans, J. (2020). Sustainable careers: Towards a conceptual model. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 117, 103196. 10.1016/j.jvb.2018.06.011
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
De Witte, H., Pienaar, J., & De Cuyper, N. (2016). Review of 30 years of longitudinal studies on the association between job insecurity and health and well-being: Is there causal evidence? Australian Psychologist, 51(1), 18–31. 10.1111/ap.12176
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Demerouti, E., Bakker, A. B., Vardakou, I., & Kantas, A. (2003). The convergent validity of two burnout instruments: A multitrait-multimethod analysis. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 19(1), 12–23. 10.1027//1015-5759.19.1.12
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Doğanülkü, A., & Kirdok, O. (2021). The moderating role of career decision regret in the effect of career adaptability on burnout. International Journal of Progressive Education, 17, 319–330. 10.29329/ijpe.2021.332.20
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1), 39–50. 10.1177/002224378101800104
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2010). Multivariate data analysis (7th ed.). Pearson.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Haynie, J., Flynn, C. B., & Herda, D. (2020). Linking career adaptability to supervisor-rated task performance: A serial mediation model. Career Development International, 25(4), 429–442. 10.1108/CDI-08-2019-0207
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hobfoll, S. E. (1989). Conservation of resources: A new attempt at conceptualizing stress. American Psychologist, 44(3), 513–524. 10.1037/0003-066x.44.3.513
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hobfoll, S. E., Halbesleben, J., Neveu, J.-P., & Westman, M. (2018). Conservation of resources in the organizational context: The reality of resources and their consequences. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 5, 103–128. 10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-032117-104640
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Höge, T., Brucculeri, A., & Iwanowa, A. N. (2012). Karriereunsicherheit, Zielkonflikte und Wohlbefinden bei Nachwuchswissenschaftlerinnen und -wissenschaftlern. Zeitschrift für Arbeits- und Organisationspsychologie A&O, 56(4), 159–172. 10.1026/0932-4089/a000088
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Johnston, C. S. (2018). A systematic review of the career adaptability literature and future outlook. Journal of Career Assessment, 26(1), 3–30. 10.1177/1069072716679921
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Johnston, C. S., Luciano, E. C., Maggiori, C., Ruch, W., & Rossier, J. (2013). Validation of the German version of the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale and its relation to orientations to happiness and work stress. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 83(3), 295–304. 10.1016/j.jvb.2013.06.002
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Koen, J., Klehe, U.-C., & van Vianen, A. E. M. (2012). Training career adaptability to facilitate a successful school-to-work transition. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 81(3), 395–408. 10.1016/j.jvb.2012.10.003
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kreckel, R. (2016). Zur Lage des wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchses an Universitäten: Deutschland im Vergleich mit Frankreich, England, den USA und Österreich. Beiträge zur Hochschulforschung, 38(1–2), 12–40. https://www.bzh.bayern.de/uploads/media/1-2-2016-Kreckel.pdf
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kvasková, L., Hlado, P., Palíšek, P., Šašinka, V., Hirschi, A., Ježek, S., & Macek, P. (2023). A longitudinal study of relationships between vocational graduates’ career adaptability, career decision-making self-efficacy, vocational identity clarity, and life satisfaction. Journal of Career Assessment, 31(1), 27–49. 10.1177/10690727221084106
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lange, J., Lietz, A., Ambrasat, J., Tesch, J., & Wegner, A. (2017). The German doctoral candidates and doctorate holders study ProFile. Jahrbücher für Nationalökonomie und Statistik, 237(4), 349–363. 10.1515/jbnst-2015-1037
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Maslach, C. (2017). Finding solutions to the problem of burnout. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 69(2), 143–152. 10.1037/cpb0000090
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Maslach, C., Schaufeli, W. B., & Leiter, M. P. (2001). Job burnout. Annual Review of Psychology, 52(1), 397–422. 10.1146/annurev.psych.52.1.397
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Muthén, L. K., & Muthén, B. O. (1998–2017). Mplus user’s guide (8th ed.). Muthén & Muthén. https://www.statmodel.com/download/usersguide/MplusUserGuideVer_8.pdf
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Nunnally, J. C. (1978). Psychometric theory (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Roll, L. C., De Witte, H., & Wang, H.-J. (2023). Conceptualization and validation of the Occupation Insecurity Scale (OCIS): Measuring employees’ occupation insecurity due to automation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3), 2589. 10.3390/ijerph20032589
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Rudolph, C. W., Lavigne, K. N., & Zacher, H. (2017). Career adaptability: A meta-analysis of relationships with measures of adaptivity, adapting responses, and adaptation results. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 98, 17–34. 10.1016/j.jvb.2016.09.002
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Savickas, M. L. (2005). The theory and practice of career construction. In S. D. Brown & R. W. Lent (Eds.), Career development and counseling: Putting theory and research to work (Vol. 1, pp. 42–70). Wiley.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Savickas, M. L., Nota, L., Rossier, J., Dauwalder, J.-P., Duarte, M. E., Guichard, J., Soresi, S., Van Esbroeck, R., & van Vianen, A. E. M. (2009). Life designing: A paradigm for career construction in the 21st century. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 75(3), 239–250. 10.1016/j.jvb.2009.04.004
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Savickas, M. L., & Porfeli, E. J. (2012). Career adapt-abilities scale: Construction, reliability, and measurement equivalence across 13 countries. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 80(3), 661–673. 10.1016/j.jvb.2012.01.011
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Shoss, M. K. (2017). Job insecurity: An integrative review and agenda for future research. Journal of Management, 43(6), 1911–1939. 10.1177/0149206317691574
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Spurk, D., Hirschi, A., & Dries, N. (2019). Antecedents and outcomes of objective versus subjective career success: Competing perspectives and future directions. Journal of Management, 45(1), 35–69. 10.1177/0149206318786563
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Spurk, D., Hofer, A., Hirschi, A., De Cuyper, N., & De Witte, H. (2022). Conceptualizing career insecurity: Towards a better understanding and measurement of a multidimensional construct. Personnel Psychology, 75(2), 253–294. 10.1111/peps.12493
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Spurk, D., Hofer, A., & Kauffeld, S. (2021). Why does competitive psychological climate foster or hamper career success? The role of challenge and hindrance pathways and leader-member-exchange. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 127, 103542. 10.1016/j.jvb.2021.103542
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Spurk, D., Kauffeld, S., Meinecke, A. L., & Ebner, K. (2016). Why do adaptable people feel less insecure? Indirect effects of career adaptability on job and career insecurity via two types of perceived marketability. Journal of Career Assessment, 24(2), 289–306. 10.1177/1069072715580415
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Steindórsdóttir, B. D., Sanders, K., Nordmo, M., & Dysvik, A. (2024). A cross-lagged study investigating the relationship between burnout and subjective career success from a lifespan developmental perspective. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 97(1), 273–300. 10.1111/joop.12471
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sverke, M., Hellgren, J., & Näswall, K. (2002). No security: A meta-analysis and review of job insecurity and its consequences. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 7(3), 242–264. 10.1037//1076-8998.7.3.242
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sverke, M., Låstad, L., Hellgren, J., Richter, A., & Näswall, K. (2019). A meta-analysis of job insecurity and employee performance: Testing temporal aspects, rating source, welfare regime, and union density as moderators. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(14), 2536. 10.3390/ijerph16142536
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Vilser, M., Rauh, S., Mausz, I., & Frey, D. (2022). The effort-reward-imbalance among PhD students – A qualitative study. International Journal of Doctoral Studies, 17, 401–432. 10.28945/5020
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Wielers, R., Hummel, L., & van der Meer, P. (2022). Career insecurity and burnout complaints of young Dutch workers. Journal of Education and Work, 35(2), 227–240. 10.1080/13639080.2021.2018412
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Wright, T., & Frigerio, G. (2015). The career adapt-ability pilots project. University of Warwick. https://warwick.ac.uk/study/cll/courses/professionaldevelopment/careerstudies/about/collaborations/caip/career_adapt-ability_pilots_project_0.pdf
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Zacher, H. (2015). Daily manifestations of career adaptability: Relationships with job and career outcomes. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 91, 76–86. 10.1016/j.jvb.2015.09.003
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Zacher, H., Rudolph, C. W., Todorovic, T., & Ammann, D. (2019). Academic career development: A review and research agenda. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 110, 357–373. 10.1016/j.jvb.2018.08.006
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Zhao, H., Weng, Q., Li, J., & Gao, W. (2023). Linking career adaptability to entrepreneurial burnout: A moderated mediation model. Journal of Career Development, 50(4), 785–802. 10.1177/08948453221124888
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.16993/sjwop.281 | Journal eISSN: 2002-2867

Journal RSS Feed

Language: English

Page range: 8 - 8

Submitted on: Jan 4, 2024

Accepted on: Mar 14, 2025

Published on: Jun 11, 2025

Published by: Stockholm University Press

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

career adaptability,

career insecurity,

exhaustion

© 2025 Daniel Spurk, Annabelle Hofer, Simone Kauffeld, Luisa Barthauer, Nora Nixon, published by Stockholm University Press
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 10 (2025): Issue 1