Development and Validation of the Calling and Vocation Questionnaire (CVQ) and Brief Calling Scale (BCS)

an article by Bryan J. Dik and Brandy M. Eldridge (Colorado State University, USA), Michael F. Steger (North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa) and Ryan D. Duffy (University of Florida, USA) published in Journal of Career Assessment Volume 20 Number 3 (August 2012)

Abstract

Research on work as a calling is limited by measurement concerns.

In response, the authors introduce the multidimensional Calling and Vocation Questionnaire (CVQ) and the Brief Calling scale (BCS), instruments assessing presence of, and search for, a calling.

Study 1 describes CVQ development using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in a cross-validated split-sample approach with 456 undergraduates. The CVQ contained six reliable sub-scales that form CVQ-Presence and CVQ-Search scores, which demonstrated moderate 1-month test–retest reliability, good fit to a six-factor structure, and initial support for construct validity.

Study 2 reports a multi-trait–multi-method analysis with 134 undergraduates and 365 informants.

Self-reported CVQ and BCS scores moderately to strongly correlated with informant reports and scores for both instruments correlated in hypothesized directions with work hope, prosocial work motivation, life meaning, and the search for meaning.

CVQ and BCS scores provide psychometrically sound measures of calling, with the CVQ offering the potential for more fine-grained, multidimensional analyses.

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