Aspiration Index Research Articles

Poczucie koherencji a aspiracje życiowe studentów

The sense of coherence, as a personality variable, affects an individual’s functioning in its various areas. Some researchers find links between the world of values to life as a mental resource and the sense of coherence. Perceiving the world as reasonable and orderly may be related to the emergence of life aspirations. A group of 162 young adults were surveyed (101 women and 61 men), aged 21–33 (M=22.52; SD=1.85). The survey was based on a questionnaire with the use of the Sense of Coherence Scale and the Life Aspirations Index. The statistical analyses performed revealed positive links between life aspirations and the sense of coherence. In addition, significant statistical differences were identified between the employed and unemployed in the level of sense of coherence and the preferences of individual life goals. The obtained results may be useful in the process of career counselling and human resources management addressed to young adults.

Psycho-economic aspiration and subjective well-being

PurposePrevious research using the Aspiration Index (AI) suggests that intrinsic goals are positively, but extrinsic/materialistic goals are negatively associated with subjective well-being (SWB). The purpose of this paper is to extend the scope of previous research by exploring the pursuit of different goals in conjunction with SWB in a country with a culture mixing western and traditional values. Several hypotheses regarding the effects of extrinsic, intrinsic, hedonic, and self-transcendent values on SWB were tested.Design/methodology/approachAn extended AI survey was conducted among randomly selected cross-sectional sample of 878 Turkish adults in Istanbul. The survey data were analyzed to explore the relationship between 14 aspiration domains and SWB using both correlation coefficients and several different regression models.FindingsThe study confirms the basic assumptions of the AI research in a Muslim society with a hybrid culture of materialistic and spiritual aspirations. The study found weak supporting evidence for the contribution of two newly added domains (i.e. aesthetic appreciation as well as honesty and fairness) to SWB, whereas the evidence for the positive contribution of intellectual life was overwhelming. Paradoxically, although the evidence from both correlation and regression coefficients supported a positive relationship between household income and SWB, after dividing the sample into two groups based on their income level, the low-income earners turned out to have relatively higher life satisfaction, holding everything else constant. More importantly, the study reveals that the impact of materialistic aspirations on SWB is still negative even if they are pursued in a hybrid culture.Research limitations/implicationsThe study included three new domains in the conventional AI model. Although the findings confirmed the importance of two domains, it is important that they be replicated in other studies, particularly in different cultural settings.Originality/valueThis study makes a significant contribution in terms of testing the effect of materialist and spiritual values on SWB in a Muslim country.

Intrinsic – Extrinsic – Transcendent. A triarchic model of goal contents: introduction and validation

<b>Background</b><br /> The article refers to an 11-factor circumplex model of goal contents introduced by Grouzet et al., which suggested a consistent structure of goals allocated within two dimensions: extrinsic–intrinsic and self-transcendent–physical. A previous study showed a rather poor fit of this model in a Polish context. Therefore using data from the aforementioned replication project in Study I we re-examined the structure and found a triarchic configuration more adequately fitting existing data. This new model was further tested in Study II.<br /> <br /> <b>Participants and procedure</b><br /> To find an adequate factor structure of life goals measured by the Polish version of the Aspiration Index in Study I we ran exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses in three groups of 1,762 people in total. To check psychometric characteristics of the developed AI-23 questionnaire we conducted Study II on a group of 319 students.<br /> <br /> <b>Results</b><br /> The analyses revealed a new structure of the Aspiration Index consisting of scales related to seven life goals connected with three general groups of goals: intrinsic, extrinsic and transcendent. Results of confirmatory factor analysis, convergent and divergent validation, internal consistency and test–retest reliability allowed AI-23 to be treated as an effective tool to measure life goals.<br /> <br /> <b>Conclusions</b><br /> The results suggest a triarchic organization of goal contents, with self-transcendent goals supplementing well-established theoretical categories of intrinsic and extrinsic goals.

Impact of personality traits and personal values on curriculum choice of young adults

In the present study, an attempt was made to investigate the role of personality and personal values in the curriculum choice. Four hundred students (200 males and 200 females) ranging in age between 18- and 25-years-old participated in the study. Eysenck Personality Questionnaire – Revised (EPQ-R) and The Aspiration Index (AI) were used to measure the personality traits and personal values respectively. Regression analyses indicate that individuals scoring high on extraversion and having high intrinsic value orientation (Importance) are more likely to choose arts/humanities (A/H) academic discipline. While individuals with high scores on psychoticism, neuroticism and having extrinsic value orientation (Importance) tend to opt for business/technical (B/T) academic stream. Findings are explained in terms of the Self-determination theory and the changing choices leading to the possible shift in the value system. Gender differences in personality and values; and their impact on academic choice have also been studied. Extraversion plays the strongest role in the choice of A/H academic choice irrespective of gender. Females are guided by intrinsic values while choosing A/H streams while males are influenced by extrinsic values while opting for B/T streams.

Effects of Partners’ Attitudes towards Wife’s Aspirations on Depression after Childbirth

A lack of social support for pregnant women is associated with depression after childbirth. However, few studies have examined the impact of the partners’ understanding of and support for the women’s aspirations (personal goals in life) on the severity of depression after childbirth. To examine the relationship between a partner’s attitude to his wife’s aspirations and depression after childbirth, a longitudinal study was conducted of 290 primipara women from five university hospitals between October 1997 and March 2000. Three questionnaires were administered to participant women. During their third trimester, they were asked about their aspirations (Aspiration Index) and their perception of their partners’ understanding of and support for their aspirations. At one month and three months after childbirth, they were asked about the severity of their depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale). Correlation analyses and structural equation modelling showed that the partners’ poor understanding and support predicted the severity of depression after childbirth. Perinatal health professionals should be encouraged to assess the pregnant women’s aspirations and their partners’ understanding and support regarding the women’s goals in life.

Dare to Dream: Personal Values, Life Goals, and International Students in New Zealand.

It has been well identified and supported in the literature that values and life goals are associated with one's general well-being. However, there have been few studies on values and life goals among international students in New Zealand. This study addressed this lack of research by focusing on the life goals and personal values among international students in three tertiary institutes in New Zealand. Based on the literature review, the hypothesis of this study is that international students' intrinsic life goals are positively correlated with their spiritual values. In contrast, extrinsic goals did not have similar effects. The Aspirations Index, which was used to assess life goals, and the Schwartz' value survey, which measured the students' personal values, were both distributed to the participants. Follow-up interviews with 24 of the participants were also conducted. Findings revealed that spiritual values were positively correlated with intrinsic goals and that extrinsic goals did not have similar effects. As the research findings showed that spiritual values were positively correlated with intrinsic goals, helping international students to find meaning and purpose in life may promote their well-being, and the learning and growth of international students can be improved by incorporating spiritual values and cultural aspects in college education. The authors also argue that a holistic approach to college education for international students is needed.

Family structure and functioning: Influences on adolescents psychological needs, goals and aspirations in a South African setting

This study aimed to determine the effects of family structure and functioning on basic psychological need fulfilment, life goals and aspirations of adolescents in a South African setting. Participants were 457 adolescent learners (Mage = 16.31, SD = 1.45, females = 54%, coloured = 56%) selected from four public schools in the Western Cape, South Africa. The adolescents completed the Family Assessment Device, Aspirations Index and Psychological Needs Scales. Results following multiple regression analysis suggested that a two-parent family structure predicted higher satisfaction of basic psychological needs and higher pursuit of extrinsic goals among adolescents than did a one-parent family structure. Family functioning determined pursuit of intrinsic goals by adolescents from one-parent families.

The Relationship Between Materialism And Eudaimonic Well-being In UK Sample

The purpose of this research is to gain a deeper understanding of how materialistic aspirations are related to distinct aspects of psychological well-being. Research has consistently found a negative relationship between materialistic goals and well-being, but a review of the literature identified that the measures of well- being used in the majority of studies were measures of what Keyes (2002) describes as “subjective well-being” or “hedonic happiness”. Criticisms of these types of measures are that they fixate too much on the momentary experience of pleasure and don’t take into account what is meaningful and or what contributes to long lasting fulfilment. Very little research was found investigating the impact of materialism on “eudaimonic” well-being, which is found through doing what is worthwhile and realising ones potential and has been found to have a longer lasting impact on overall well-being (Huta & Ryan, 2010). To address this gap in the literature, a convenience sample of 113 adult subjects in the UK were recruited through Facebook and asked to respond to the Aspiration Index and the Psychological wellbeing scale. The relative importance placed on extrinsic (materialistic) and intrinsic aspirations was compared to the six dimensions of psychological well-being. In line with previous research, higher importance placed on materialistic aspirations for wealth, status and image were found to be negatively correlated with all aspects of psychological well-being. However, the strongest and only statistically significant negative correlation was between extrinsic aspirations and positive relations with others (r = -.256, p< 0.01). Positive relationships with other people form a central component of many theories of well- being and so this negative relationship may help to explain why materialistic aspirations are so consistently found to be negatively correlated to a variety of measures of well-being. Further research is needed to explore this relationship as no causation could be inferred.

Aspirations and life satisfaction in Japan: The big five personality makes clear

The present study investigated the relationship between two types of aspirations: intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations hypothesized by Self-determination Theory, and life satisfaction in Japan. A total of 474 Japanese undergraduates (286 males, 184 females, and 4 unknown; Mage=18.88, SD=1.10) participated in a survey. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the Aspiration Index had the same hypothesized factor structure as that found in previous studies. Path analysis by structural equation modeling showed that intrinsic aspirations were positively correlated with life satisfaction, while extrinsic aspirations were negatively related. In addition, controlling for the effects of the Big Five personality traits provided a clearer relationship between aspirations, particularly extrinsic aspirations, and life satisfaction. Discussion describes concerning method to evaluate the relationship between aspirations and subjective well-being more accurately.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Portuguese Version of the Aspiration Index (AI)

The aim of this study was to develop a cross-cultural adaptation version and to make a psychometric evaluation of the Aspiration Index (AI) for the Brazilian context. This instrument assesses the importance that individuals put in their life goals. Participants consisted of 971 Brazilian youth aged from 18 to 30 years old (M age = 22.8; SD=3.4). The cultural adaptation showed that it was appropriated both at a cultural and linguistic level. The confi rmatory factor analysis (CFA) demonstrated the adequacy of the original 11-factor model for the Brazilian context, and the multi-group CFA showed that this structure was invariant across different socio-economic groups. Furthermore, the multidimensional scaling modeling (MDS) replicated the results earlier studies, positing a two-dimension structure as representation of the data. With one dimension underlying the intrinsic (e.g., self-acceptance, affi liation) versus extrinsic goals (e.g., fi nancial success, image); and the second dimension defi ned by the self-transcendent (e.g., spirituality) and the physical goals (e.g. health). These results suggest that the AI is a reliable measure to assess different types of life goals and can be used with the Brazilian population from different regions and socioeconomic levels.

Parenting styles and psychological needs influences on adolescent life goals and aspirations in a South African setting

The present study examined the role of parenting styles and basic psychological needs in the adoption of goals and aspirations of learners, as well as for their psychological wellbeing (positive versus negative affect) in a South African sample of learners. A cross-sectional design was used to conduct this study with a sample of 853 learners at public schools in the Western Cape of South Africa (females = 57%, mean age 16.96 years, SD = 1.12). Data were collected using the Parenting Style and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ), Psychological Needs Scale, Aspiration Index and the Positive And Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). The results suggest that authoritative and authoritarian parenting styles influence the adoption of life goals and psychological wellbeing of adolescents with fathers' negative parenting possibly reducing adolescent wellbeing. Extrinsic life goals was a significant predictor of positive affect, while need frustration was a significant predictor of negative affect. These findings suggest parenting styles and basic psychological needs influence life aspirations and psychological wellbeing of learners in a developing country context.

A cross-sectional study to explore the mediating effect of intrinsic aspiration on the association between unconditional positive self-regard and posttraumatic growth

Person-centered psychotherapy is based on the growth paradigm of psychological distress. Person-centered therapy is, therefore, ideally placed to facilitate posttraumatic growth. There were two aims of this study. The first was to explore the association between unconditional positive self-regard and the construct of posttraumatic growth. The second was to explore the mediating effect of intrinsic aspirations on the association between unconditional positive self-regard and posttraumatic growth. A cross-sectional correlation design was used to ask a sample of Cypriot origin participants (N = 99) to complete the Unconditional Positive Self-Regard Scale (UPSR), Intrinsic Aspirations subscale of the Aspirations Index and Post Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Findings showed that unconditional positive self-regard was significantly positively correlated with posttraumatic growth and that the association between unconditional positive self-regard and posttraumatic growth was successfully partially mediated by intrinsic aspirations. This is the first study to test for the mechanisms by which unconditional positive self-regard predicts posttraumatic growth. The findings also support a link between the phenomenon of posttraumatic growth and person-centered theory at a construct level. Implications for person-centered therapy are discussed and suggestions for further research are proposed.

The Role of Relative Intrinsic Aspirations in Chinese Adolescents’ Prosocial Behaviors

We examined Chinese adolescents’ aspirations and explored the relationship between relative intrinsic aspirations (RIA) and prosocial behaviors and whether adolescents with different levels of RIA have different emphases on self- and other-oriented considerations during prosocial decision making. In Study 1, 236 participants were recruited and completed a questionnaire containing the Aspiration Index and Prosocial Tendencies Measure. The results show that RIA are positively associated with adolescents’ prosocial behaviors. In Study 2, 158 adolescents completed a questionnaire containing the Aspiration Index and measurements of prosocial decision making and considerations in prosocial decision making. To some extent, adolescents with a lower level of RIA have a greater emphasis on self-oriented considerations, whereas adolescents with a higher level of RIA have a greater emphasis on other-oriented considerations. In addition, both studies suggest that Chinese adolescents value intrinsic aspirations above extrinsic ones.

Materialistic Thinking and its Mental- Hygienic Implications among Students of Budapest Business School

Abstract Previous research with extrinsic (“materialistic”) and intrinsic (“non-materialistic”) life goals suggest that intrinsic aspirations (e.g. relationships, community service, personal development) are associated with a better functioning, mentally and physically more healthy personality. In this survey 198 undergraduate students of BBS were examined by the Aspiration Index questionnaire in order to determine the pattern of extrinsic and intrinsic life goals in their personality, to find relationship between personal background-factors and these aspirations, and to compare the attitudes of the young population to a less homogenous reference group. Compared with the reference group, young women of BBS find all goals more important, except for social commitment and general intrinsic aspiration. Both BBS female and male students were found more materialistic. The materialistic attitudes are significantly stronger among the students of business programs, but not among the students of humanities (andragogy). In conclusion, the students of BBS tend to accept more extrinsic life goals than members of the external reference group. These attitudes are influenced by the generational properties of this young population and by the educational program they attend (business or humanities). The extrinsic attitudes do not serve the individuals’ personal development or happiness; neither do they serve the interests of society. The new paradigms of the future business world are not yet interiorized.

The Correlation between Personality Dimensions Measured by the Questionnaire Called Velikih 5 + 2 and Dimensions of the Level of Aspiration

This study is about searching the correlation between personality dimensions and dimensions of the level of aspiration The study applied two instruments: Velikih 5+2 ( VP+2 ; Smederevac , Mitrovic and Čolović , 2009), which assesses seven dimensions of personality and their subscales, which are Neuroticism , Conscientiousness , Pleasantness, Extraversion, Openness to experience , Negative valence and Positive valence, and Aspiration Index ( aspiration Index , Kasser and Ryan , 1996 ) designed to measure the level of intrinsic and extrinsic aspiration. The results show correlation between the Positive valence and Importance of extrinsic values, the Probability of intrinsic values, the Probability of extrinsic values and the Achievement of extrinsic values. Negative valence correlates with the Importance of extrinsic values, the Probability of intrinsic values, the Probability of extrinsic values, the Achievement of intrinsic values and the Achievement of extrinsic values. Openness is associated with the Probability of intrinsic values, the Importance of intrinsic values, the Achievement of extrinsic values and the Achievement of intrinsic values. Extraversion is associated with the Importance of intrinsic values, while Conscientiousness correlates with the Achievements of intrinsic values. When it comes to gender, there is a significant correlation gained with variables measuring Importance of intrinsic values and Probability of intrinsic values, and the results show that higher scores on these dimensions are achieved by women. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2014.v4n4p49

Aspiration Index in Vocational Students – Dimensionality, Reliability, and Construct Validity

The self-determination theory (SDT) distinguishes between intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations or life goals, which tend to fall into two separate constructs. The pursuit of intrinsic goals, relative to extrinsic ones, is associated with numerous cognitive, affective and behavioural outcomes that are considered to be positive for individuals as well as for society such as, for example, students’ school persistence. Developed by SDT researchers, the Aspiration Index has been widely explored. However, it has not previously been evaluated in Scandinavia. By means of confirmatory factor analysis and correlation analysis, the purpose of the current study was to examine the dimensionality, reliability, and construct validity of the Aspiration Index among health and social care students (N=415). The analysis revealed that a hypothesised second-order, two-factor model fits well with the observed data. The Aspiration Index also showed good reliability and construct validity in the present population of young people.

The Aspirations of Japanese Undergraduate Students: Prospective Study on their Effects on Depression and Anxiety and Mediation by Adult Attachment

The present study examined the connections among aspiration, depression, anxiety, attachment and stressful life events in a sample of 405 Japanese undergraduate students. At Time1 (T1), participants’ Dysphoric Mood (depression and anxiety rated by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale: HADS), Adult Attachment (rated by the Relationship Questionnaire) and factor-analysis-derived two dimensions of Aspiration (rated by the Aspiration Index) – Agency and Communality Aspirations – were measured. Three months later (Time2 [T2]), participants completed the HADS again and reported the impact of their most negative life event occurring during the interval between T1 and T2. After controlling for the direct path from T1 to T2 Dysphoric Mood, both T1 Dysphoric Mood and low Communality Aspiration predicted insecure Adult Attachment, which predicted the perception of Agency Stress, which in turn predicted T2 Dysphoric Mood. These findings suggest that adolescents’ Communality Aspiration is important in maintaining secure attachment and indirectly subsequent healthy psychological adjustment.

An Investigation of the Associations Between Contingent Self-Worth and Aspirations Among Iranian University Students

This study investigated the novel associations between intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations and internal and external domains of contingent self-worth among a sample of 502 Iranian university students. We found a meaningful pattern showing that intrinsic aspirations were positively associated with internal domains, whereas extrinsic aspirations were positively associated with external domains. Our survey data also suggested that the factor structure of the Aspiration Index, as well as the factor structure of the Contingencies of Self-Worth Scale in our Iranian sample were consistent with factor structures of foreign samples. Finally, the types of aspirations and domains of contingencies of self-worth meaningfully predicted variables related to well-being, confirming previous research. We discuss the nature of the associations between the aspirations and the domains of contingent self-worth.

Fashion innovativeness and materialism

The purpose of the study described here was to investigate the relationship between materialism and fashion innovativeness in two consumer societies, the US and South Korea. The data came from surveys of 259 US student consumers and 225 South Korean student consumers. Correlation and regression analysis tested the hypotheses. Materialism was positively associated in both samples of consumers with fashion innovativeness at the total scale level and with most of the subdimensions of both scales, but only the centrality, happiness and attractiveness subscales were positively related to fashion innovativeness in the regression analysis, suggesting that these are the dominant motivators. Although the findings are limited to the countries and measures used, they imply that fashion innovativeness is positively associated with at least some aspects of materialism. We can surmise that some consumers satisfy aspects of their materialistic needs by purchasing fashionable clothing. Marketers of new fashion can enhance the appeal of their products by stressing materialistic themes, such as centrality, happiness and attractiveness, in their promotions. Cross-cultural marketing efforts may be similar in this regard. The study is original in that there are very few studies of materialism, a powerful influence on a variety of consumer behaviors and fashion innovativeness. None compare countries; none use the newer Kasser Aspiration Index to measure materialism; and few examine subscale relationships.

English

The aim of this study was to compare the goals and aspirations of learners from single- and two-parent families. The study used a quantitative methodology with a cross-sectional comparative group design. The sample consisted of 853 Grade 11 learners from secondary schools in the Northern, Southern and Metro Central education districts in the Western Cape. The data were collected using the Aspirations Index and a short biographical questionnaire. The results suggest that there was a significant main effect of family structure on certain goals and aspirations of learners in secondary schools. These goals and aspirations included wealth, image, personal growth, relationships, and health. Furthermore, learners in single-parent families placed more emphasis on intrinsic goals. Keywords : aspirations; environment; extrinsic goals; family structure; intrinsic goals; learners; secondary school; self-determination theory; single-parent families; two-parent families