The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in acute influence on hospitality businesses operation and employees. This study aims to discover the relationship among work volition, life satisfaction, and the mediating role of meaningful work under the COVID-19 pandemic to employees in the hospitality industry. As the epidemic has a crucial effect not only toward our work but also life observation, past studies have indicated the importance of work volition, meaningful work, and life satisfaction under the pandemic in the hospitality industry. Besides, little research was done in this relationship in Asia wise, and less practical applications have been proposed under the pandemic. This study adapted the online questionnaire survey and 242 recipients were received. Collective data was analyzed by SPSS version 23.0 and AMOS 23.0 software, and tested by linear regression and hierarchical regression. The result indicated that
meaningful work fully mediated the relationship between work volition and life satisfaction. The findings of this study offered a broad recognition of the factor of hospitality industry employees' subject well-being.

Achtziger, A., & Gollwitzer, P. M. (2018). Motivation and volition in the course of action. Motivation and Action, 485–527. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-65094-4_12

Aguiar-Quintana, T., Nguyen, T. H. H., Araujo-Cabrera, Y., & Sanabria-Díaz, J. M. (2021). Do job insecurity, anxiety and depression caused by the COVID-19 pandemic influence hotel employees’ self-rated task performance? The moderating role of employee resilience. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 94, 102868. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2021.102868

Allan, B. A., Autin, K. L., & Duffy, R. D. (2014). Examining social class and work meaning within the psychology of working framework. Journal of Career Assessment, 22(4), 543–561. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072713514811

Allan, B. A., Autin, K. L., & Duffy, R. D. (2016). Self-determination and meaningful work: Exploring socioeconomic constraints. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00071

Allan, B. A., Batz-Barbarich, C., Sterling, H. M., & Tay, L. (2019). Outcomes of meaningful work: A meta‐analysis. Journal of Management Studies, 56(3), 500–528. https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12406

Ampofo, E. T., Coetzer, A., & Poisat, P. (2017). Relationships between job embeddedness and employees’ life satisfaction. Employee Relations, 39(7), 951–966. https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-10-2016-0199

Arslan, G., & Allen, K.-A. (2022). Exploring the association between coronavirus stress, meaning in life, psychological flexibility, and subjective well-being. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 27(4), 803–814. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2021.1876892

Autin, K. L., Douglass, R. P., Duffy, R. D., England, J. W., & Allan, B. A. (2017). Subjective social status, work volition, and career adaptability: A longitudinal study. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 99, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2016.11.007

Autin, K. L., & Duffy, R. D. (2019). The psychology of working: Framework and theory. In J. A. Athanasou & H. N. Perera (Eds.), International Handbook of Career Guidance, 2, 176–184. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25153-6

Autin, K. L., Herdt, M. E., Garcia, R. G., & Ezema, G. N. (2022). Basic psychological need satisfaction, autonomous motivation, and meaningful work: A self-determination theory perspective. Journal of Career Assessment, 30(1), 78–93. https://doi.org/10.1177/10690727211018647

Bailey, C., Madden, A., Alfes, K., & Fletcher, L. (2017). The meaning, antecedents and outcomes of employee engagement: A Narrative Synthesis: Employee Engagement. International Journal of Management Reviews, 19(1), 31–53. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijmr.12077

Blustein, D. (2013). The psychology of working. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203935477

Blustein, D. L. (2008). The role of work in psychological health and well-being: A conceptual, historical, and public policy perspective. American Psychologist, 63(4), 228–240. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.63.4.228

Blustein, D. L., Duffy, R., Ferreira, J. A., Cohen-Scali, V., Cinamon, R. G., & Allan, B. A. (2020). Unemployment in the time of COVID-19: A research agenda. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 119, 103436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2020.103436

Blustein, D. L., Kenna, A. C., Gill, N., & DeVoy, J. E. (2008). The psychology of working: A new framework for counseling practice and public policy. The Career Development Quarterly, 56(4), 294–308. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-0045.2008.tb00095.x

Blustein, D. L., Kenny, M. E., Di Fabio, A., & Guichard, J. (2019). Expanding the impact of the psychology of working: Engaging psychology in the struggle for decent work and human rights. Journal of Career Assessment, 27(1), 3–28. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072718774002

Buyukgoze-Kavas, A., Duffy, R. D., & Douglass, R. P. (2015). Exploring links between career adaptability, work volition, and well-being among Turkish students. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 90, 122–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2015.08.006

Camilleri, M. A. (2021). The employees’ state of mind during COVID-19: A self-determination theory perspective. Sustainability, 13(7), 3634. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13073634

Center for Self-Determination Theory. (2022). Theory – selfdeterminationtheory.org. https://selfdeterminationtheory.org/theory/

Chaolertseree, S., & Taephant, N. (2020). Outcomes of meaningful work with a focus on asia: A systematic review. The Journal of Behavioral Science, 15(3), 101–116. https://so06.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/IJBS/article/view/243554

Chen, C.-C. (2021). Psychological tolls of COVID-19 on industry employees. Annals of Tourism Research, 89, 103080. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2020.103080

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The "What" and "Why" of Goal Pursuits: Human Needs and the Self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227–268. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1104_01

Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The satisfaction with life scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49(1), 71–75. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa4901_13

Di Fabio, A. (2017). Positive Healthy Organizations: Promoting well-being, meaningfulness, and sustainability in organizations. Frontiers in psychology, 8, 1938.

Duarte-Lores, I., Rolo-González, G., Suárez, E., & Chinea-Montesdeoca, C. (2021). Meaningful work, work and life satisfaction: Spanish adaptation of Work and Meaning Inventory Scale. Current Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-02569-8

Duffy, R. D., Autin, K. L., & Bott, E. M. (2015). Work volition and job satisfaction: Examining the role of work meaning and person–environment fit. The Career Development Quarterly, 63(2), 126–140. https://doi.org/10.1002/cdq.12009

Duffy, R. D., Blustein, D. L., Diemer, M. A., & Autin, K. L. (2016). The psychology of working theory. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 63(2), 127–148. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000140

Duffy, R. D., Bott, E. M., Allan, B. A., & Torrey, C. L. (2013). Examining a model of life satisfaction among unemployed adults. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 60(1), 53–63. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0030771

Duffy, R. D., Diemer, M. A., Perry, J. C., Laurenzi, C., & Torrey, C. L. (2012). The construction and initial validation of the Work Volition Scale. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 80(2), 400–411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2011.04.002

Duffy, R. D., Douglass, R. P., & Autin, K. L. (2015). Career adaptability and academic satisfaction: Examining work volition and self-efficacy as mediators. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 90, 46–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2015.07.007

Duffy, R. D., Douglass, R. P., Autin, K. L., & Allan, B. A. (2016). Examining predictors of work volition among undergraduate students. Journal of Career Assessment, 24(3), 441–459. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072715599377

Duong, C. D. (2021). The impact of fear and anxiety of Covid-19 on life satisfaction: Psychological distress and sleep disturbance as mediators. Personality and Individual Differences, 178, 110869. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2021.110869

Eakman, A. M., & Eklund, M. (2012). The relative impact of personality traits, meaningful occupation and occupational value on meaning in life and life satisfaction. Journal of Occupational Science, 19(2), 165–177. https://doi.org/10.1080/14427591.2012.671762

Emmons, R. A. (1986). Personal strivings: An approach to personality and subjective well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51(5), 1058–1068. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.51.5.1058

Erdamar, G., & Demirel, H. (2016). Job and life satisfaction of teachers and the conflicts they experience at work and at home. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 4(6), 164–175. https://doi.org/10.11114/jets.v4i6.1502

Erdogan, B., Bauer, T. N., Truxillo, D. M., & Mansfield, L. R. (2012). Whistle while you work: A review of the life satisfaction literature. Journal of Management, 38(4), 1038–1083. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206311429379

Fairlie, P. (2011). Meaningful work, employee engagement, and other key employee outcomes: Implications for human resource development. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 13(4), 508–525. https://doi.org/10.1177/1523422311431679

Fernandez, S., & Moldogaziev, T. (2015). Employee empowerment and job satisfaction in the U.S. Federal Bureaucracy: A self-determination theory perspective. The American Review of Public Administration, 45(4), 375–401. https://doi.org/10.1177/0275074013507478

Ferreira, P., Gabriel, C., Faria, S., Rodrigues, P., & Sousa Pereira, M. (2020). What if employees brought their life to work ? The relation of life satisfaction and work engagement. Sustainability, 12(7), 2743. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12072743

Ghislieri, C., Cortese, C. G., Molino, M., & Gatti, P. (2019). The relationships of meaningful work and narcissistic leadership with nurses’ job satisfaction. Journal of Nursing Management, 27(8), 1691–1699. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12859

Ginevra, M. C., Di Maggio, I., Santilli, S., Sgaramella, T. M., Nota, L., & Soresi, S. (2018). Career adaptability, resilience, and life satisfaction: A mediational analysis in a sample of parents of children with mild intellectual disability. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 43(4), 473–482. https://doi.org/10.3109/13668250.2017.1293236

Goertzen, M. J. (2017). Introduction to quantitative research and data. Library Technology Reports, 53(4), 12–18. https://journals.ala.org/index.php/ltr/article/view/6325

Gordon, H. J., Demerouti, E., Le Blanc, P. M., Bakker, A. B., Bipp, T., & Verhagen, M. A. M. T. (2018). Individual job redesign: Job crafting interventions in healthcare. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 104, 98–114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2017.07.002

Guay, F., Senécal, C., Gauthier, L., & Fernet, C. (2003). Predicting career indecision: A self-determination theory perspective. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 50(2), 165–177. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.50.2.165

Gursoy, D., & Chi, C. G. (2020). Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on hospitality industry: review of the current situations and a research agenda. Journal of Hospitality Marketing Management, 29(5), 527–529. https://doi.org/10.1080/19368623.2020.1788231

Hackman, J. R., & Oldham, G. R. (1975). Development of the job diagnostic survey. Journal of Applied Psychology, 60(2), 159–170. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0076546

Hagenauer, G., Gläser-Zikuda, M., & Moschner, B. (2018). University students’ emotions, life-satisfaction and study commitment: A self-determination theoretical perspective. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 42(6), 808–826. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877x.2017.1323189

Hagmaier, T., Abele, A. E., & Goebel, K. (2018). How do career satisfaction and life satisfaction associate? Journal of Managerial Psychology, 33(2), 142–160. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMP-09-2017-0326

Holtom, B. C., Lee, T. W., & Tidd, S. T. (2002). The relationship between work status congruence and work-related attitudes and behaviors. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(5), 903–915. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.87.5.903

Holton, E. F., & Burnett, M. F. (2005). The basics of quantitative research. In Research in organizations: Foundations and methods of inquiry (pp. 29–44).

Jerome, N. (2013). Application of the Maslow’s hierarchy of need theory; impacts and implications on organizational culture, human resource and employee’s performance. International Journal of Business and Management Invention, 2(3), 39–45.

Kang, S.-E., Park, C., Lee, C.-K., & Lee, S. (2021). The stress-induced impact of COVID-19 on Tourism and Hospitality workers. Sustainability, 13(3), 1327. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031327

Karakose, T., Yirci, R., & Papadakis, S. (2021). Exploring the interrelationship between covid-19 phobia, work-family conflict, family–work conflict, and life satisfaction among school administrators for advancing sustainable management. Sustainability, 13(15), 8654. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158654

Karatepe, O. M., Saydam, M. B., & Okumus, F. (2021). COVID-19, mental health problems, and their detrimental effects on hotel employees’ propensity to be late for work, absenteeism, and life satisfaction. Current Issues in Tourism, 24(7), 934–951. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2021.1884665

Khawaja, K. F., Sarfraz, M., Rashid, M., & Rashid, M. (2021). How is COVID-19 pandemic causing employee withdrawal behavior in the hospitality industry? An empirical investigation. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 5(3), 687–706. https://doi.org/10.1108/jhti-01-2021-0002

Kramer, A., & Kramer, K. Z. (2020). The potential impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on occupational status, work from home, and occupational mobility. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 119, 103442. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2020.103442

Kumar, P., Kumar, N., Aggarwal, P., & Yeap, J. A. L. (2021). Working in lockdown: The relationship between COVID-19 induced work stressors, job performance, distress, and life satisfaction. Current Psychology, 40(12), 6308–6323. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-01567-0

Lee, D.-J., Yu, G. B., Sirgy, M. J., Singhapakdi, A., & Lucianetti, L. (2018). The effects of explicit and implicit ethics institutionalization on employee life satisfaction and happiness: The mediating effects of employee experiences in work life and moderating effects of work-family life conflict. Journal of Business Ethics, 147(4), 855–874. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2984-7

Lee, H., Hwang, S., Kim, J., & Daly, B. (2004). Predictors of life satisfaction of Korean nurses. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 48(6), 632–641. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2004.03251.x

Lerner, R. M. (2018). Concepts and theories of human development (4th ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203581629

Lips-Wiersma, M., & Wright, S. (2012). Measuring the meaning of meaningful work: Development and validation of the Comprehensive Meaningful Work Scale (CMWS). Group & Organization Management, 37(5), 655–685. https://doi.org/10.1177/1059601112461578

Loewe, N., Bagherzadeh, M., Araya-Castillo, L., Thieme, C., & Batista-Foguet, J. M. (2014). Life domain satisfactions as predictors of overall life satisfaction among workers: Evidence from Chile. Social Indicators Research, 118(1), 71–86. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-013-0408-6

Lupton, D., & Willis, K. (2021). The COVID-19 crisis. Social Perspectives. Routledge.
Magnano, P., Santisi, G., Zammitti, A., Zarbo, R., & Di Nuovo, S. (2019). Self-perceived employability and meaningful work: The mediating role of courage on quality of life. Sustainability, 11(3), 764. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11030764

Mahmoud, A. B., Reisel, W. D., Fuxman, L., & Hack‐Polay, D. (2021). Locus of control as a moderator of the effects of COVID‐19 perceptions on job insecurity, psychosocial, organisational, and job outcomes for MENA region hospitality employees. European Management Review, 2021, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1111/emre.12494

Manganelli, L., Thibault-Landry, A., Forest, J., & Carpentier, J. (2018). Self-determination theory can help you generate performance and well-being in the workplace: A review of the literature. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 20(2), 227–240. https://doi.org/10.1177/1523422318757210

Martyr, A., Nelis, S. M., Quinn, C., Wu, Y.-T., Lamont, R. A., Henderson, C., Clarke, R., Hindle, J. V., Thom, J. M., Jones, I. R., Morris, R. G., Rusted, J. M., Victor, C. R., & Clare, L. (2018). Living well with dementia: a systematic review and correlational meta-analysis of factors associated with quality of life, well-being and life satisfaction in people with dementia. Psychological Medicine, 48(13), 2130–2139. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291718000405

Mather, P. C. (2008). Interns at an International, Humanitarian Organization: Career Pathways and Meaning Making. Journal of College Student Development, 49(3), 182–198. https://doi.org/10.1353/csd.0.0001

McCann, H. (1974). Volition and basic action. The Philosophical Review, 83(4), 451–473. https://doi.org/10.2307/2183915

Nemkova, E., Demirel, P., & Baines, L. (2019). In search of meaningful work on digital freelancing platforms: the case of design professionals. New Technology, Work and Employment, 34(3), 226–243. https://doi.org/10.1111/ntwe.12148

O’Brien, K. E. (2004). Self-determination theory and locus of control as antecedents of voluntary workplace behaviors. University of South Florida.

Olafsen, A. H., Niemiec, C. P., Halvari, H., Deci, E. L., & Williams, G. C. (2017). On the dark side of work: A longitudinal analysis using self-determination theory. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 26(2), 275–285. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2016.1257611

Oldham, G. R., & Hackman, J. R. (2010). Not what it was and not what it will be: The future of job design research: Future of job design research. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 31(2-3), 463–479. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.678

Pavot, W., & Diener, E. (2008). The satisfaction with life scale and the emerging construct of life satisfaction. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 3(2), 137–152. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760701756946

Pratt, M. G., & Ashforth, B. E. (2003). Fostering Meaningfulness in Working and at Work. Positive Organizational Scholarship: Foundations of a New Discipline. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

Prochazka, J., Scheel, T., Pirozek, P., Kratochvil, T., Civilotti, C., Bollo, M., & Maran, D. A. (2020). Data on work-related consequences of COVID-19 pandemic for employees across Europe. Data In Brief, 32, 106174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2020.106174

Richardson, M. S. (1993). Work in people’s lives: A location for counseling psychologists. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 40(4), 425–433. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-0167.40.4.425

Rigby, C. S., & Ryan, R. M. (2018). Self-determination theory in human resource development: New directions and practical considerations. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 20(2), 133–147. https://doi.org/10.1177/1523422318756954

Ryan, R. M., Legate, N., Niemiec, C. P., & Deci, E. L. (2012). Beyond illusions and defense: Exploring the possibilities and limits of human autonomy and responsibility through self-determination theory. Meaning, Mortality, And Choice: The Social Psychology Of Existential Concerns, 215–233. https://doi.org/10.1037/13748-012

Šakan, D., Žuljević, D., & Rokvić, N. (2020). The role of basic psychological needs in well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak: A self-determination theory perspective. Frontiers in Public Health, 8, 583181. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.583181

Satici, B., Gocet-Tekin, E., Deniz, M. E., & Satici, S. A. (2021). Adaptation of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale: Its association with psychological distress and life satisfaction in Turkey. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 19(6), 1980–1988. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00294-0

Schultheiss, D. E. P. (2003). A relational approach to career counseling: Theoretical integration and practical application. Journal of Counseling & Development, 81(3), 301–310. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6678.2003.tb00257.x

Shilo-Levin, S., Shrira, A., & Hoffman, Y. (2021). Feeling older can be advantageous: A study on generativity, meaning in work and life satisfaction in israeli workplaces. Journal of Happiness Studies, 22(7), 2873–2887. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-020-00344-3

Simonet, D. V., & Castille, C. M. (2020). The search for meaningful work: A network analysis of personality and the job characteristics model. Personality and Individual Differences, 152, 109569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2019.109569

Šrol, J., Ballová Mikušková, E., & Čavojová, V. (2021). When we are worried, what are we thinking? Anxiety, lack of control, and conspiracy beliefs amidst the COVID‐19 pandemic. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 35(3), 720–729. https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.3798

Steger, M. F., Dik, B. J., & Duffy, R. D. (2012). Measuring Meaningful Work: The Work and Meaning Inventory (WAMI). Journal of Career Assessment, 20(3), 322–337. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072711436160

Sun, R. C. F., & Shek, D. T. L. (2013). Longitudinal influences of positive youth development and life satisfaction on problem behaviour among adolescents in Hong Kong. Social Indicators Research, 114(3), 1171–1197. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-012-0196-4

Tavakol, M., & Dennick, R. (2011). Making sense of Cronbach's alpha. International Journal of Medical Education, 2, 53–55. https://doi.org/10.5116/ijme.4dfb.8dfd

Van Nguyen, P., Doan Xuan Trieu, H., Nu Hoang Ton, U., Quoc Dinh, C., & Quynh Tran, H. (2021). Impacts of Career Adaptability, Life Meaning, Career Satisfaction, and Work Volition on Level of Life Satisfaction and Job Performance. Humanities and Social Sciences Letters, 9(1), 96–110. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.73.2021.91.96.110

Wrzesniewski, A., Dutton, J. E., & Debebe, G. (2003). Interpersonal sensemaking and the meaning of work. Research in Organizational Behavior, 25, 93–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0191-3085(03)25003-6

Yoon, P., & Hahn, J. (2021). Contradictory Aspects of Job Searching in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Relationships between Perceived Socioeconomic Constraints, Work Volition, and the Meaning of Work. Sustainability, 13(3), 1012. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031012

Zhuang, J., Jiang, Y., & Chen, H. (2021). Stress and career adaptability during COVID-19: A serial multiple mediation model. Social Behavior and Personality: An International Journal, 49(8), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.2224/sbp.10551