title: Motivational goal objects in later life.
abstract: With a sentence completion technique, 708 elderly participants (64 to 90 years of age) expressed 15,020 personal aspirations. These goals were classified according to their motivational content in ten major categories and their relationships with different sociodemographic variables were studied. Two goal profiles emerge from this analysis. Aspirations centered on self-preservation are associated with very old age, functional impairment, lower S.E.S. and education, being alone or institutionalized. Aspirations of self-development and interpersonal relationships are associated with younger age, physical autonomy, higher S.E.S. and education, being married or living at home. Development of meaningful personal goals are discussed as a mean of intervention with elderly individuals.
authors.affiliation: Département de psychologie, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lapierre
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bouffard
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bastin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001240:Aspirations, Psychological; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology; D005783:Gender Identity; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D009042:Motivation; D012803:Sick Role; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors