A longitudinal examination of the time-lagged pathways between career adaptability, career engagement, and life satisfaction

This study aims to examine the relationships between career adaptability, career engagement, and satisfaction with life longitudinally. After matching Time 1 and Time 2, the final sample represents 168 university students. Data were obtained from the Career Adaptability Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the Career Engagement Scale. The cross-lagged panel model (CLPM) was applied for data analysis in a half-longitudinal design. The cross-lagged effect of career adaptability at Time 1 on career engagement at Time 2 was positive and significant. Also, the cross-lagged effect of career engagement at Time 1 on satisfaction with life at Time 2 was positive and significant. Career engagement longitudinally mediates the relationship between career adaptability and satisfaction with life.