Aspiration Index Research Articles

The connection of life satisfaction with the image of the future in overcoming a difficult life situation

The article presents the results of a study of the relationship between life satisfaction and the image of the future for people living in a difficult life situation. A qualitative analysis of the respondents' answers to open-ended questions allowed us to identify three groups depending on the experience of encountering a difficult life situation. In addition, the following questionnaires were used: Satisfaction With Life Scale of E. Diener in the adaptation of E.N. Osin and D.A. Leontiev; the Life Orientation Test of C. Carver and M. Scheier in the adaptation of T.O. Gordeeva, O.A. Sychev, E.N. Osin; the questionnaire «Professional time perspective of the future» H. Zacher and M. Frese in the adaptation of T.Y. Bazarov, A.V. Paramuzov; the questionnaire «Aspirations Index» by E.L. Deci and R.M. Ryan in the adaptation by T.D. Vasilenko, Y.A. Kotelnikova, A.V. Selina. It was revealed that respondents who are in a difficult life situation have significantly lower life satisfaction rates and a more pessimistic vision of the future. But regression analysis showed that for these participants, various aspects of the image of the future, namely generalized positive expectations of the future, focusing on opportunities in a professional environment, orientation towards building close relationships, act as resources of life satisfaction. In the group where respondents had overcome life difficulties in the recent past and in the group in which participants reported no recent experience of encountering difficult situations, the characteristics of the image of the future turned out to be unrelated to life satisfaction. The scientific novelty of the study lies in obtaining more detailed data on the contribution of the image of the future to life satisfaction in overcoming a difficult life situation.

The role of Christian faith in the reintegration of female prisoners

Aim: This study delves into the correlation between religious faith and the process of reintegration among women in incarceration. In Hungary, this subject is relatively understudied; however, international insights underscore the prominent role of religious convictions in shaping an individual’s predisposition towards criminality and their influence on prosocial conduct. Yet, the extent and contentious nature of its role in reintegration persist due to a lack of emphasis by societal institutions associated with detainees, disregarding the intricate sociological prospects embedded within religion and faith. These prospects, meticulously scrutinised by sociologists, encompass the maintenance and fortification of social order, the regulation of human activities, and more. An additional challenge arises post-release, where organisations and religious institutions involved in the spiritual rehabilitation of detainees lose contact with these individuals, impeding subsequent investigative efforts.Methodology: The data for our pilot study were gathered among residents of Kalocsa Prison in 2024. Employing the Shortened Aspiration Index, augmented by interviews, our research methodology sought to enrich descriptive statistical analyses through the nuanced exploration of interview content. Sample selection followed a randomised and voluntary basis (N: 46 individuals). Importantly, the outcomes derived from our study are not intended for generalisation but rather apply specifically to our sampled cohort.Findings: Our discernments indicate that, for the female detainees under scrutiny, faith and religious practices wield a positive influence on delineating life objectives. They also play a pivotal role in sustaining mental equilibrium, with noteworthy psychoeducational ramifications. During catechesis, knowledge enrichment extends beyond cultural dimensions to encompass moral teachings, fostering an understanding of the ethical values and frameworks essential for normative living.Value: Determining the criteria for the success of post-release reintegration proves elusive, given the nuanced and idiosyncratic nature of success for everyone. Factors influencing an individual’s psychological dynamics and behavioural patterns intricately interweave within a complex socioeconomic system. Thus, it is reasonable to assert that the precepts of Christian teachings, faith, and the spiritual and organisational scaffolding of religious practices can form integral components of a supportive framework. Acknowledging the reinforcing role of Christian faith, particularly among women, aligns with the 2022 census data from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH), which underscores a prevailing proclivity towards religiosity among women in contemporary Hungary.

A keresztény hit szerepe a női fogvatartottak reintegrációjában

Aim: This study delves into the correlation between religious faith and the process of reintegration among women in incarceration. In Hungary, this subject is relatively understudied; however, international insights underscore the prominent role of religious convictions in shaping an individual’s predisposition towards criminality and their influence on prosocial conduct. Yet, the extent and contentious nature of its role in reintegration persist due to a lack of emphasis by societal institutions associated with detainees, disregarding the intricate sociological prospects embedded within religion and faith. These prospects, meticulously scrutinized by sociologists, encompass the maintenance and fortification of social order, the regulation of human activities, and more. An additional challenge arises post-release, where organisations and religious institutions involved in the spiritual rehabilitation of detainees lose contact with these individuals, impeding subsequent investigative efforts.Methodology: The data for our pilot study were gathered among residents of Kalocsa Prison in 2024. Employing the Shortened Aspiration Index, augmented by interviews, our research methodology sought to enrich descriptive statistical analyses through the nuanced exploration of interview content. Sample selection followed a randomised and voluntary basis (N: 46 individuals). Importantly, the outcomes derived from our study are not intended for generalisation but rather apply specifically to our sampled cohort.Findings: Our discernments indicate that, for the female detainees under scrutiny, faith and religious practices wield a positive influence on delineating life objectives. They also play a pivotal role in sustaining mental equilibrium, with noteworthy psychoeducational ramifications. During catechesis, knowledge enrichment extends beyond cultural dimensions to encompass moral teachings, fostering an understanding of the ethical values and frameworks essential for normative living.Value: Determining the criteria for the success of post-release reintegration proves elusive, given the nuanced and idiosyncratic nature of success for everyone. Factors influencing an individual’s psychological dynamics and behavioural patterns intricately interweave within a complex socioeconomic system. Thus, it is reasonable to assert that the precepts of Christian teachings, faith, and the spiritual and organisational scaffolding of religious practices can form integral components of a supportive framework. Acknowledging the reinforcing role of Christian faith, particularly among women, aligns with the 2022 census data from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH), which underscores a prevailing proclivity towards religiosity among women in contemporary Hungary.

Causal Model of Autonomous Motivation to Modify Dietary Behavior among People with Early-stage Chronic Kidney Disease

Dietary behavior is significant for delaying chronic kidney disease progression but is difficult to modify. Autonomous motivation is one of the key concepts that seem to be useful for behavior modification. Thus, this descriptive cross-sectional study was purposed to develop and test a causal model of autonomous motivation to modify dietary behavior among people with early-stage chronic kidney disease. Participants comprised 308 people with early-stage chronic kidney disease from ten tertiary hospitals in Thailand. Data collection employed a demographic and health information form, the Regulation of Eating Behaviour Scale: Autonomous Motivation Subscale, the General Causality Orientation Scale: Autonomy Orientation Subscale, the Health Care Climate Questionnaire Short-Form, the Importance Domain of the Aspiration Index: Intrinsic Life Aspiration Subscale, the Importance Domain of the Aspiration Index: Extrinsic Life Aspiration Subscale, and the Basic Need Satisfaction in General Scale. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling using M-plus.The results showed the final model explained 57% of the variance in autonomous motivation to modify dietary behavior. Intrinsic life aspiration, autonomy support from healthcare providers, and autonomy orientation had a positive direct effect on autonomous motivation and an indirect effect through basic psychological need satisfaction. Basic psychological need satisfaction had a positive direct effect on autonomous motivation. On the other hand, extrinsic life aspiration had neither a direct nor an indirect effect on autonomous motivation. Nurses can use these findings to design and test nursing interventions by integrating autonomy orientation, autonomy support from healthcare providers, and intrinsic life aspirations for enhancing autonomous motivation to modify the dietary behavior of this population.

Interrelation of career orientations, life strivings and values of students of secondary vocational education

Introduction. Value and motivational guidelines play an important role in shaping students» career self-determination. Currently, significant changes are taking place in the value orientations and motives of young people. That is why the study of the relationship between value-motivational characteristics and career orientations becomes especially relevant.Purpose setting. The task is to identify the relationship between career orientations, life aspirations (motives) and values of students of secondary vocational education.Methodology and methods of the study. To achieve this goal, the «Career Anchors» technique (developed by E. Schein), the «Aspiration Index» technique (developed by E. Deci and R. Ryan) and the value orientation technique (developed by S. Schwartz) were used. Students from Krasnoyarsk institutions of secondary vocational education took part in the study as respondents.Results. The results showed that the most significant career orientations for respondents were «Autonomy», «Lifestyle Integration» and «Service». Among less pronounced career orientations, young people consider «Stability of place of residence and work». Young people are dominated by internal aspirations (motives) related to relationships, health and personal growth. The values of hedonism, independence and achievement are of great importance to respondents. Students ranked the following values as less important: conformity, power and tradition.Conclusion. As a result of the study, the leading career orientations, main life aspirations (motives) and the most significant values for students of secondary vocational education were identified. Significant relationships between these characteristics were also identified.

A Unique Variance in Future Motivation for Observed Active Behaviors on Positive Class Participation Beyond the Effect of Current Motivation

AbstractBased on self‐determination theory, this study investigates a unique variance in the effect of aspirations (future motivation) on the observed active behaviors on positive class participation, while controlling for academic motivation (current motivation). In Study 1, 364 fifth‐ and sixth‐grade elementary school students participated in a survey to confirm the validity of the Aspirations Index for Children. Confirmatory factor analysis on the theoretically hypothesized model showed an acceptable fit for the data. In Study 2, 297 fifth‐ and sixth‐grade elementary school students participated in this survey, assessing their aspirations and academic motivation. Furthermore, their homeroom teachers evaluated the students’ academic behaviors on positive class participation. The results of multilevel structural equation modeling, which controls for the effect of current motivation, indicated the unique variance in aspirations (future motivation): intrinsic aspirations were positively associated with active behaviors on positive class participation, whereas extrinsic aspirations showed a negative relation. This study concludes that future motivation, specifically intrinsic aspirations, facilitates active learning behaviors beyond the effect of current motivation.

Consciousness and Greed: A Mathematical Model of Human Greed and Its Behavioral Implications

This study presents and validates a novel mathematical model aimed at illuminating the relationship between consciousness and human greed. The model, at its core, views greed as a function of an individual's scope of desires and their appreciation for what they currently possess. The ambition here is to capture the entire gamut of human aspirations, ranging from material to emotional and spiritual, while highlighting the role of consciousness in their modulation. Leveraging a cross-sectional survey design and a diverse demographic sample, two primary variables are quantified: 'Quantity of Desires,' which encapsulates the range and intensity of an individual's aspirations, and 'Appreciation of Possessions,' denoting the value attributed to current assets, achievements, and life circumstances. The resulting data serve to calculate a 'Level of Greed' score for each participant. Validation of the model is undertaken through a two-pronged approach: cross-validation with established psychological scales, including the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) and the Aspiration Index, and an assessment of participant feedback concerning the alignment of their calculated 'Level of Greed' score with their perceived lifestyle and level of satisfaction. The study's findings endorse the mathematical model's effectiveness, showcasing its potential for quantitative analysis of the intricate intersection between consciousness and greed, ultimately enhancing the understanding of how consciousness influences human desires and behavioral outcomes.

Factors Influencing Youths’ Career Aspirations: A Case Study of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

The paper measures youths’ career aspiration index based on achievement, leadership, and educational aspirations and determines the role of career counselling and mentorship in career aspirations by applying heterogeneity bias-adjusted OLS on the primary data, collected through a questionnaire in the year 2020 from 1015 youth in Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, comprised of 42:58 male-female ratio. Findings show a 39 percent educational, 30 percent achievement, and 31 percent leadership aspirations index score with an overall index of 54 percent. The career plans, academic background, and mentorship appeared significant in shaping career aspirations among selective youth. It is suggested to hire qualified mentors and offer formal career counselling at institutions that can help in reinforcing youths’ motivation and efforts for better career choices that will ultimately bridge the labour market gaps in the area.

How to facilitate intrinsic aspirations: An intervention through self-determination theory perspectives

Facilitating intrinsic aspirations remains a challenge in studies on self-determination theory. This article, comprising two studies, focuses on the development of an educational intervention that provides individuals with opportunities to consider their life aspirations. In Study 1, a total of 320 undergraduates participated in a survey designed to confirm the validity of the Japanese version of the Aspirations Index. The results showed that the scale had reasonable reliability and construct validity. Then, in study 2, we administered the program and tested its effectiveness for 42 undergraduate students (48 undergraduates for the comparison). The results of a generalized linear mixed model and mixed-design ANOVA indicated that the intervention successfully increased the participants’ intrinsic aspirations, but not their extrinsic aspirations. Additionally, from qualitative data, almost all participants reported deriving benefits from the intervention program and obtaining new perspectives on their career issues and intrinsic aspiring. Overall, we conclude that the proposed educational intervention may be a valid method of strengthening intrinsic aspirations of youth.

Психологические характеристики культуры безопасности работников нефтеперерабатывающей компании

Background. Sustainability and safety of production processes are a priority for organizations operating in potentially hazardous areas of production and service. To promote a safe work style and maintain the stability of processes, the concept of a safety culture (SC) is actively used. The problem of involving employees to safety issues brings up the aspects of engagement, motivation and values. Objective. The research aims to study the relationship between psychological characteristics of employees (involvement, motivation and values) and level of safety culture in the organization. Sample. The sample consists of 96 people who are operators of oil refining units at one of the largest oil-refineries in Russia. Methods. UWES-scale (V. Schaufelli, A. Becker) in the adaptation of D. Kutuzova; “Organizational engagement” (V. Dominyak, T. Tatarinova); Safety culture questionnaire (L. Goryunova, V. Kozlov), “Aspirations index” in the adaptation of M. Patrikeeva were used to collect the data. Results. The overall level of work engagement showed high positive correlations with such components of safety culture as trust, personal responsibility, discipline, and involvement in safety. Significant connections were found between engagement in the organization processes and the evaluation of a number of SC components. It is shown that employees with higher rate of internal aspirations are characterized by a higher SC score. A factor analysis of the SC components was carried out to outline the factors of individual SC, group SC and the attitude to uncertainty. Conclusion. Research reveals the role of employee engagement and their motivation in safety development. The results of the study can be used in the work of HR services, occupational safety specialists, heads of departments.

Educational Aspirations among the Students of Manipur University, India

Educational aspirations provide students valuable insights that can inform educational policies, improve career guidance, promote equitable opportunities leading to better educational outcomes, and increase success in students’ future careers. This study examined the educational aspirations of students in 2021 at Manipur University, India. A structured interview schedule was designed, and data were collected from 160 students through stratified random sampling from five Schools of studies of the postgraduate students of the University. Students in the School of Human and Environmental Sciences showed the highest Achievement Likelihood of Educational Aspiration Index (ALEAI). Study reveals that the majority of the students wanted to pursue higher education. Students’ primary career advice was found to be their interests. Students were also motivated about their career choice mainly by their parents’ support, followed by the influence of TV, radio, social media, and other media. Students should also be encouraged and empowered to decide on and stand for their right career. The study suggests that it is necessary to review the influences, programmes, and different factors affecting students at all stages of their education.

Psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Aspiration Index and the relationship between aspirations and subjective well-being

Psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Aspiration Index and the relationship between aspirations and subjective well-being

Psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Aspiration Index and the relationship between aspirations and subjective well-being

Psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Aspiration Index and the relationship between aspirations and subjective well-being

Trade Integration and Export Aspiration: Evidence from India’s Trade in Goods with BRICS Countries

The purpose of this study was to examine the dynamics of trade between India and the BRICS countries as well as to gauge the relative strength of Indian exports to those nations. The trade integration patterns among BRICS countries were also analyzed. To quantify the extent to which India’s exports correspond to the needs of its BRICS counterparts, a novel export aspiration index was constructed. The index of trade integration patterns has also been employed to quantify India’s trade integration pattern with other BRICS members. Further, the gravity model of trade has been employed to analyze the fundamentals of India–BRICS trade. The export aspiration in individual BRICS countries shows a diverse pattern. However, India’s export aspiration in these countries has improved, although marginally in the long run. Such empirical evidence substantiates that the relative strength of India’s exports within its BRICS counterparts has marginally improved over time. Moreover, the trade integration index indicates a similar trade integration pattern among the BRICS countries and corroborates the presence of inter-industry trade. Added to the conventional variables of the gravity model, India’s outward multilateral trade resistance and BRICS inward multilateral trade resistance significantly promote India–BRICS trade. Hence, the relative strength of Indian exports will increase substantially if India’s commodity composition is diversified by including more commodities in its export baskets that correspond to the needs and changing conditions of the BRICS economies.

The relationship between social support and goal pursuit among Chinese college students: The mediating role of just-world beliefs.

Based on the self-determination theory, this study examined the mechanisms underlying the influence of social support on goal pursuit among college students and focused on the mediating role played by just-world beliefs. The Aspiration Index Scale, Just-World Beliefs Scale, and Perceived Social Support Scale were used to assess relationships among 424 college students' just-world beliefs, social support, and goal pursuit; additionally, the underlying mechanisms of those relationships were examined. The results showed that (1) there was a significant positive correlation between social support, just-world beliefs, and goal pursuit; (2) social support had a significant positive influence on goal pursuit; (3) just-world beliefs played a fully mediating role in the influence of social support on goal pursuit, with a mediating effect of 36.38%; and (4) personal just-world beliefs rather than general just-world beliefs fully mediated the effect of social support on goal pursuit, with a mediating effect of 39.00%. In conclusion, we found that for Chinese college students, social support has a significant positive effect on goal pursuit, and personal just-world beliefs play a fully mediating role in the effect of social support on goal pursuit.

A new complex mental health test in a positive psychological framework.

According to the Maintainable Positive Mental Health Theory (MPMHT), the main pillars of positive mental health are global well-being, efficient coping that enables an individual to maintain positive conditions and functioning, savoring capacity, resilience, and dynamic self-regulation. This study presents the validation of a new five-scale mental health test (MHT), the MHT that operationalizes MPMHT. The methodology comprised two online cross-sectional studies using self-report questionnaires. Participants in Study I (n = 1,736; 448 males, 1,288 females; mean age 51.3 years; SD = 11.6 years) filled in the MHT, the Flow, the Positive emotions, Engagement, Positive Relationship, Meaning, Accomplishment Questionnaire (PERMA-Profiler), and the Flourishing Scale. Participants in Study II (n = 1,083; 233 males, 847 females; mean age 33.9 years; SD = 12.2 years) filled in the MHT, the Shortened Aspiration Index, the short form of the Beck Depression Inventory, the WHO Well-Being Index, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Purpose in Life Test, and the Schema Questionnaire–Short Form. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) identified a five-factor structure with 17 items in Study I that was confirmed with excellent fit measures in confirmatory factor analysis in Study II. Both studies indicated a high level of internal consistency (above 0.70). In each subscale, a minimum part of 44% did not overlap with the set of the other subscales. The content validity of the subscales was confirmed by 10 tests of mental health. We found a positive correlation of the self-regulation and resilience subscales with age, while women showed a higher level of savoring than men at all age levels. When Study I was replicated after 2 weeks and again after 11 months, excellent internal consistency and good test–retest correlation values of the MHT scales were found. The MHT can thus be considered a reliable and valid measurement tool for mental health.

The Role of Attachment in the Life Aspirations of Portuguese Adolescents in Residential Care: The Mediating Effect of Emotion Regulation

Quality of attachment relationships developed within an institutional environment may be a risk or protective factor for the creation of life aspirations and for emotion regulation abilities among adolescents in residential care contexts. The present study aims to analyze the predictive role of attachment on life aspirations for adolescents in a residential care context, as well as to test the mediating effect of emotion regulation difficulties in this association. The sample included 296 adolescents living in Residential Care facilities in Portugal, with ages raging between 12 and 18 (M = 15.30, SD = 1.76), being 71.6% female. Self-report measures included the Experiences in Close Relationships, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, the Aspiration Index, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Attachment figure negatively predicts the importance of life aspirations, while difficulties in emotional regulation mediate the association between attachment and life aspirations. Associations of length of institutionalization and age of entrance on residential care were tested and discussed. Practical implications were considered highlighting the importance of intervention with young people, the family, and caregivers in residential care.

A review on children and adolescents’ mental health indicators: Towards a valid mental health assessment in Hungarian youth

The application of appropriate qualitative and quantitative indicators of youth’s mental health is vital for the entire health care system, including the individuals, health care providers, and health policy. These can enable both researchers and policymakers to carry out comparisons across time, interindividual differences and culture. In our scoping review, we aimed to identify psychological, social and systemrelated indicators that can provide direct and indirect information regarding Hungarian youth’s mental health status. Additionally, we focused on providing a model regarding mental health evaluation measures, comparable to the international models. To determine the indicators of mental health, international and Hungarian literature was reviewed through primary and secondary sources. During the analysis, the following databases were searched: ERIC, Google Scholar, MedLine, Pubmed, ResearchGate and Science Direct. A total of 76 papers met the criteria, containing 38 Hungarian studies and 38 international ones. The review revealed that, similar to the international trends, the Hungarian assessment of positive (e.g., satisfaction with life, aspiration index, social support, coping skills, health-preserving behavior), negative (e.g., emotional symptoms, social difficulties, sadness, depression, anxiety) and other mental health indicators (e.g., alcohol abuse, drug-related disorders, suicide, bullying,) can be measured by standardized, validated tests. The indicators identified in the current review can support professionals and policymakers to systematically improve the quality of health care. With the use of appropriate indicators, more accurate results concerning the current mental health status of the children and youth can be provided, which would enable more effective prevention and intervention in the health care system and related domains.

Measuring capabilities: Taking people’s values seriously

• This study introduces two new indices of capability to reflect people’s values: the Capability Index and the Gap Index. • The Capability Index reflects, more accurately than existing measures, the theory underpinning the capability approach. • The Gap Index renders policymaking more effective by targeting capability dimensions associated with frustration and challenges the concept of adaptive preferences. • The mathematical formulation is simple so as to facilitate public discussion. People’s values are fundamental to development and ‘the capability approach’ in particular. Nonetheless, values have not been considered when capabilities have been measured with a focus on achievements along established dimensions. The main purpose of this article is thus to introduce two new measures: the Capability Index and the Gap Index. By combining two existing scales, the OCAP-18 from the capability approach and the Aspirations Index from positive psychology, the new measures reflect not only the level of attainment but also the value level of each capability dimension. Thus, the Capability Index can be calculated by weighting the attainment level according to the value level, while the Gap Index can be calculated by subtracting the attainment level from the value level. In line with the methods of the original Human Development Index, the mathematical formulation is kept as simple as possible in order to facilitate public discussion. By using data from BRIC countries, the present study not only demonstrates the possibility of measuring capabilities in a more precise but less complicated manner; it also reveals significant gaps between the levels of value and attainment along some capability dimensions, leading to challenge the concept of adaptive preferences. While the new Capability Index can be used as a more accurate way of measuring capabilities than was possible with existing measures, the new Gap Index can be used as an effective way of targeting the dimensions of capability that would otherwise lead people to become frustrated with their lives. Accordingly, the study underlines the significance of the capability approach to development and, more broadly, makes policymaking more human-centred by taking people’s values seriously.

What do you really want? Change in goals and life satisfaction during Emerging Adulthood in Brazil

Aim and Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate how different types of goals may affect the satisfaction in life of Brazilian emerging adults in different developmental stages and, what characteristics they associate with adulthood. Method: Participants were 970 Brazilian youth aged from 18 to 30 years old (M = 22.8; SD = 3.4). The instruments we used were a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Aspiration Index and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. We performed a descriptive statistical analysis to elicit the characteristics related with becoming an adult, as well as ANOVAs to test if there was a difference between the endorsement of intrinsic or extrinsic goals based on sociodemographic characteristics; and if there was a difference, did it affect their satisfaction with life. Results: Results showed that the most important characteristic to be considered an adult was to be financially independent and to be responsible for oneself, while the least important were to be married and to have children. There was a significant difference in the importance participants gave to intrinsic goals based on sex and age. Consistently with previous research, we found that giving greater importance to intrinsic goals had a positive and significant effect on life satisfaction. However, different sets of goals were deemed important according to the developmental stage youth were in, and these changes had in turn a significant effect on life satisfaction. Conclusions: Finally, we found that prioritizing intrinsic goals contributes to greater life satisfaction in general. This study acknowledges that there are individual and contextual factors that may propel youth to choose their goals in order to attend these demands, regardless of their impact on life satisfaction.