Developmental changes in personal goal orientation from young to late adulthood: from striving for gains to maintenance and prevention of losses.
Using a multimethod approach, the authors conducted 4 studies to test life span hypotheses about goal orientations across adulthood. Confirming expectations, in Studies 1 and 2 younger adults reported a primary growth orientation in their goals, whereas older adults reported a stronger orientation toward maintenance and loss prevention. Orientation toward prevention of loss correlated negatively with well-being in younger adults. In older adults, orientation toward maintenance was positively associated with well-being. Studies 3 and 4 extend findings of a self-reported shift in goal orientation to the level of behavioral choice involving cognitive and physical fitness goals. Studies 3 and 4 also examine the role of expected resource demands. The shift in goal orientation is discussed as an adaptive mechanism to manage changing opportunities and constraints across adulthood.
Ebner
Natalie C
NC
Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany. ebner@mpib-berlin.mpg.de
Freund
Alexandra M
AM
Baltes
Paul B
PB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires