Abstract versus concrete goals: personal striving level, physical illness, and psychological well-being.
This study examined the relation between personal striving level and psychological and physical well-being. Level refers to the degree of generality versus specificity of one's goal strivings. In 3 studies, 188 Ss generated lists of their personal strivings, which were then rated on specificity level. High-level striving was associated with more psychological distress, particularly depression. Low-level striving was related to higher levels of physical illness. Correlations between striving level and self-reported symptoms were generally not as strong as those between level and the more objective illness indicators. High-level strivings were seen as more difficult and requiring more effort than low-level strivings. Results are interpreted in terms of control theory, goal-setting theory, and the repressive personality style.
Emmons
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RA
Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis 95616.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001240:Aspirations, Psychological; D003210:Concept Formation; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012803:Sick Role; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D013850:Thinking