Goal-directedness and personal identity as correlates of life outcomes.
Although much research has been conducted on goal setting, researchers have not examined goal-directedness or propensity to set goals as a stable human characteristic in adults. In this study, a survey was developed and distributed to 104 adult participants to assess their goal-directedness, personal identity, and various life outcomes. A theoretical model was developed and tested using structural equation modeling that proposed that both goal-directedness and personal identity should positivcly influence important life outcomes. Analysis showed that goal-directedness and personal identity are positively related to personal well-being, salary, and marital satisfaction. Further, personal identity was positively related to job satisfaction but, contrary to related research, goal-directedness did not predict job satisfaction.
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires