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

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.