Psychological predictors of well-being in relation to goal attainment

Problem: The overall aim of this research program was to further our understanding of motivational processes that predict well-being. The theoretical focus was the self-concordance model of healthy goal striving, which includes the variables of goal self-concordance, sustained effort, goal attainment, need satisfaction, and well-being. Studies 1 to 4 tested this model using a new methodology, and also extended the model. The focus of Study 5 was to experimentally test a manipulation of the “sustained effort” component of the model. Methods and Results: All participants were students in introductory psychology units at The University of New South Wales, who participated for course credit. Study 1 tested the robustness of the model by utilizing retrospective ratings regarding the most important goal in the past four weeks. Appropriate goodness of fit indices for the model were found. In Study 2, the argument was made for direct links to need satisfaction from self-concordance and from sustained effort, and appropriate goodness of fit was found for this modified model. In Study 3, the argument was made for a new variable to be inserted between goal attainment and need satisfaction: personal growth interpretation (PGI) of goal attainment. The PGI Scale was constructed to measure this variable, and then a portion of the model containing this new variable was tested and found to have appropriate goodness of fit. In Study 4, the entire modified model was tested and found to have appropriate goodness of fit. In Study 5, the effectiveness of a goal intervention program, which within the framework of the model focuses on improving the quality of goal-striving behaviour (sustained effort), was experimentally tested in relation to goal attainment. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental or control group. The experimental group was asked to apply the program in helping them achieve their most important self-concordant goal over a one week period. The experimental group rated goal attainment and need satisfaction more highly than did the control group. Conclusion: The four model-fitting studies highlight the important role of psychological processes such as construal in the conative processes that predict subjective well-being. The final experimental study points to opportunities to further test the theoretical model in the context of developing strategies to improve well-being through motivational processes