Future Work Self salience: A meta-analysis

Future Work Self salience (FWSS) refers to how vividly individuals envision their future selves in their careers, representing personally relevant hopes and aspirations related to work (Strauss et al., 2012). Research on FWSS has expanded rapidly in the last decade, but the findings have not yet been quantitatively synthesized. We present meta-analytic insight of relationships between FWSS and various antecedents and outcomes derived from the Career Construction Model of Adaptation (CCMA) based on K = 74 studies, k = 80 independent samples, and N = 27,643 individuals. FWSS is strongly associated with the adaptivity constructs proactive personality and psychological capital (both rc = .43). Additionally, it is is moderately related to supports (rc = .37). FWSS is strongly related with career adaptability (rc = .56) and adapting responses, including proactive career behaviors (rc = .46), proactive work behaviors (rc = .44), career decision self-efficacy (rc = .45), and occupational self-efficacy (rc = .48). Regarding adaptation results, FWSS is moderately related to employability (rc = .31) and occupational well-being (rc = .26), while showing a strong relationship with general well-being (rc = .39) and meaning in life (rc = .54). FWSS is also strongly associated with work engagement (rc = .39). The relative weights analysis confirms the distinct relationship between FWSS and PCBs. Additionally, the mediation analysis indicates that career adaptability acts as a mediator between FWSS and PCBs, offering deeper insights into the role of FWSS within the CCMA. Finally, demographic and contextual variables, such as age and cultural individualism, influence some of the examined relationships. The meta-analysis contributes to a refinement of the CCMA and future research on the role of FWSS in career development.