The predictive validity of vocational interests for life outcomes across adulthood.

(e.g., civic engagement, cultural participation) outcomes assessed 11 years later. Across adulthood (ages 25-67 at interest assessment), interests significantly contributed to all 12 outcomes, demonstrating that interests are predictive of life outcomes after adolescence and young adulthood. Age-moderation analyses using local structural equation modeling and age-group-specific analyses indicated that many interest-outcome links remained stable throughout adulthood but revealed some differentiated patterns consistent with age-graded opportunities and constraints. Specifically, links between interests and work outcomes were often strongest in mid-career and largely remained stable thereafter. For relationship outcomes, the predictive strength of interests peaked in early adulthood and weakened over midlife. For communal outcomes, most age variation in the predictive strength of interests occurred in later adulthood. Overall, results add a lifespan perspective to interest theory and suggest that age can provide a relevant context to realize interests through life choices, which should be considered in theory and practice. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).