In APA style, how should subsequent citations of a work be formatted after the first citation?

In APA style, when citing a work that has three or more authors, the proper format for subsequent citations after the first citation is to use the first author's last name followed by "et al." This approach helps streamline the citations in the text and avoids lengthy repetitions of multiple author names, which can clutter the writing.

For example, if the original citation is (Smith, Johnson, and Lee, 2020), all subsequent citations would simply be (Smith et al., 2020). This practice maintains clarity and conciseness, making it easier for readers to follow along without losing track of the narrative.

The format encourages efficient communication of sources while ensuring that the authors are still credited; it is a key aspect of APA style's emphasis on both the integrity of academic writing and the accessibility of information.