title: Differences on adolescent life goal profile scale between a clinical and non-clinical adolescent sample.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to determine similarities and differences on perceived importance and perceived attainability of life goals between a clinical and non-clinical adolescent sample.
  
  
  METHODS
  244 students and 54 adolescent patients completed the Adolescent Life Goal Profile Scale (ALGPS). The ALGPS measures perceived importance and perceived attainability of four main life goal categories: Relations, Generativity, Religion, and Achievements. As a control, we used five measures of mental health, quality of life, and personality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences on perceived importance on the Generativity, Religion, and Achievement life goal factor, but patients perceived relation-oriented goals less important than non-patients. Perceived attainability of life goals factors was lower for patients on all life goals except for Generativity. Compared to non-patients, patients were less happy and satisfied and had lower sense of coherence and self-efficacy. Patients were also less emotionally stable, had lower conscientiousness, but higher intellect.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Though patients appear less content with life in general than non-patients, chances are that they uphold their concern and care for others, remain devoted in their religious stand, and stay committed to their achievement-related goals. The lower perceived importance of relations within the patient group should be awarded clinical attention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Sørlandet Hospital Health Enterprise, South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority , Kristiansand , Norway.
authors.forename: Leiv E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Gabrielsen
authors.forename: Reidulf G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Watten
authors.forename: Pål
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ulleberg
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D060685:Sense of Coherence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult