Goal Reengagement Research Articles

Profiles of goal adjustment capacities are differentially associated with perfectionism, excellencism, and psychological adjustment of students in a time of crisis

ABSTRACT Students had to adjust their goals during the sudden shift to online teaching amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This study with 613 university students identified four multidimensional profiles based on how they relied on goal disengagement, reengagement, and perseverative engagement (a new dimension of goal adjustment capacities). Students who disengaged from goals, reengaged in new ones, and were less likely to dwell on their former goals (goal reengagement profile) experienced less stress and burnout and more growth experiences. Students who reengaged less in goals (goal entrapment profile) and those who reengaged but dwelled on their former goals (action crisis profile) experienced worse psychological outcomes. Perfectionists were more likely than excellence strivers to be part of an action crisis goal adjustment profile.

Individual differences in goal adjustment: convergence and divergence among three theoretical models.

Individual differences in dealing with unattainable goals or resource-consumptive goal pursuit are conceptualized as goal adjustment processes in three theoretical approaches: accommodative coping (two-process model of developmental regulation), compensatory secondary coping (motivational theory of life-span development), and goal disengagement and goal reengagement (goal adjustment theory). The aim of this paper is to conceptually and empirically analyze convergences and divergences between the three approaches as well as their relationship with indicators of well-being and their intersections with cognitive emotion regulation. The empirical study is based on a cross-sectional online survey (N = 433; M = 28.9 years, SD = 8.4 years; 50% female). The conceptual analysis yields clear convergences, but also differences. Empirically, clear but partially non-redundant relationships between the concepts are found in structural equation models. Accommodative coping showed the strongest correlations with measures of well-being and cognitive emotion regulation. When all goal adjustment measures are included simultaneously as predictors of well-being, accommodation remains as the strongest predictor (and partly goal reengagement as well), while goal disengagement shows opposing relationships with most measures of well-being. We discuss the lessons learnt from these findings and conclude by proposing future avenues to examine goal adjustment processes.

Goal disengagement and goal reengagement: Associations with depression, anxiety, and satisfaction with life.

Goal disengagement and goal reengagement: Associations with depression, anxiety, and satisfaction with life.

The interpersonal benefits of goal adjustment capacities: the sample case of coping with poor sleep in couples.

This study examined the role of goal adjustment capacities and coping in the association between spousal sleep efficiency and relationship satisfaction in romantic couples. A community lifespan sample of 113 heterosexual couples (age range = 21-82 years) was recruited using newspaper advertisements in the Greater Montreal Area from June 2011 to December 2012. Participants completed study measures (i.e., Goal Adjustment Scale, Brief Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Relationship Assessment Scale, and the Brief Cope) at two time points, ~1 year apart. The results of actor-partner interdependence models with moderation (MIXED procedure in SPSS) reveal that goal disengagement buffered people from worsening relationship satisfaction associated with poor spousal sleep [95% CI B (-1.17, -0.12)], in part via increases in actor active coping [95% CI B (-0.32, -0.02)] and decreases in partner self-blame [95% CI B (-0.28, -0.01)]. Goal reengagement was related to diminished relationship satisfaction in response to poor own sleep [95% CI B (0.59, 1.79)], in part through increases in actor behavioral disengagement [95% CI B (0.05, 0.41)]. These findings point to a need for future studies to examine goal adjustment capacities and relationship-specific coping strategies as potential targets of intervention to maintain peoples' relationship satisfaction in the face of sleep problems.

Psychometric properties and factor structure of the suicidal narrative inventory in major depression: A multicentric evaluation

BackgroundThe Suicidal Narrative Inventory (SNI) is a 38-item self-report measure developed to assess elements of the suicidal narrative, a subacute, predominantly cognitive, presuicidal construct. Our objectives were to assess the factor structure, validity, and reliability of the SNI-38 among adults with major depressive disorder (MDD). MethodsUsing a cross-sectional design, we administered the Hindi version of the SNI along with other self-report measures to adults with MDD, recruited from 24 tertiary care hospitals across India. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to assess the factor structure of SNI-38. Reliability (internal consistency) was assessed using Cronbach's alpha (α). Convergent, discriminant, and criterion validity of the SNI-38 were tested by comparing it against other appropriate measures. ResultsWe collected usable responses from 654 Hindi-speaking participants (Mean age = 36.9 ± 11.9 years, 50.2% female). The eight-factor solution of the SNI showed good model fit indices (χ2[637] = 3345.58, p <.001, CFI =.98, and RMSEA =.08). Internal consistencies for the SNI subscale scores were good to excellent, α ranging from .73 to.92. While most subscales significantly converged with other measures, associations were comparatively weaker and inconsistent for the ‘thwarted belongingness’ and ‘goal reengagement’ subscales. ConclusionConsistent with prior data, our study confirmed an eight-factor solution and demonstrated adequate psychometric properties for the Hindi version of the SNI-38 in our sample. These findings provide empirical support for the use of SNI to assess the suicidal narrative among Indian adults with MDD.

Factor structure, reliability, and validity of the revised Suicide Crisis Inventory in major depression: A multicentric Indian study

BackgroundThe revised Suicide Crisis Inventory (SCI)-2 is a self-report measure to assess the suicide crisis syndrome (SCS). We aimed to assess the factor structure, reliability, and validity of SCI-2 among adults with major depression. MethodsUsing a cross-sectional design, between November 2021 and August 2022, the Hindi SCI-2, along with other self-report measures, was administered to Indian adult respondents clinically diagnosed with major depression across 24 centers in India. Confirmatory factor analysis was carried out to test the factor structure of SCI-2. Additionally, convergent, discriminant, and criterion validity were tested using bivariate or biserial correlations, as appropriate. ResultsWe obtained responses from 654 participants (Mean age = 36.9 ± 11.9 years, 50.2 % female). The SCI-2 fit both a one-factor (χ2[1769] = 14,150.74, p < .001, CFI = 0.98, RMSEA = 0.10), and five-factor solution (χ2[1759] = 13,130.83, p < .001,CFI = 0.98, RMSEA = 0.10) with the five-factor solution providing a significantly better fit. Internal consistencies of the SCI-2 total and subscale scores ranged from good to excellent. Most subscales significantly converged with each other and with other relevant measures although these associations were weak for thwarted belongingness and goal reengagement subscales. Small to moderate associations were noted in support of discriminant and criterion validity. LimitationsWe could not assess the predictive validity of SCI-2 for suicidal behaviors. ConclusionConsistent with prior data, the Hindi SCI-2 fit a five-factor solution and showed good psychometric properties. These findings support the use of SCI-2 to assess SCS among Indian adults with major depression.

Context-Dependent Shifts in Self-Regulatory Personality Processes During COVID-19: Changes in Control Predict Dynamic Shifts in Goal Reengagement Capacity.

The ability to reengage with new attainable goals after major setbacks is a core self-regulatory trait linked to health and well-being. Yet little is known about the extent to which such goal reengagement capacities may shift over time in response to changing contextual circumstances. Using a nationally-representative sample of U.S. adults aged 18-80 (n = 293), the present 1-year study examined whether changes in opportunity to influence life circumstances (perceived control) were coupled with dynamic shifts in goal reengagement capacity for individuals who differed in their levels of control at pandemic onset. Results of multilevel models showed that within-person increases in perceived control during the pandemic predicted corresponding within-person increases in goal reengagement capacity. Moderation models showed that the positive within-person association between perceived control and goal reengagement was pronounced for individuals with lower levels of control at pandemic onset who may be particularly sensitive to periods of opportunity to pursue new attainable goals. Findings inform theories of personality and self-regulation in pointing to contextual circumstances under which goal reengagement capacity exhibits dynamic shifts in populations who differ in their perceived opportunities for control.

Peer Pressure, Academic Stress and Goal Adjustment in Day Scholars and Hostelite College Students

The current study aimed to investigate the gender differences in peer pressure, academic stress, and goal adjustment in day scholars and hostelite college students. A cross-sectional survey research design and convenience sampling strategy were used. Data were collected from 300 college students (day scholars = 171 and hostelites = 129) with a mean age of 17.26(0.86) years of day scholars and a mean age of 17.57(0.91) of hostelites from various public and private colleges, Lahore. For this purpose, Peer Pressure Inventory (Kiran-Esen, 2003) was used to measure peer pressure, Academic stress was measured by using Academic Stress Scale (Kim, 1970) and Goal Adjustment Scale (Wrosch, Scheier, Miller, Schulz, &amp; Carver, 2003) used to measure goal adjustment and demographic information was also obtained. Reliability analysis, independent samples t-test, and Two-way MANOVA were applied. A t-test revealed that day scholar college students experience more direct peer pressure and academic stress. They are more tend to disengage in unattainable goals and are more inclined to reengage in attainable goals rather than hostelite college students. Two-way MANOVA depicted that day scholar boys assume direct peer pressure and they more disengage in unattainable goals and reengage in attainable goals as compared to day scholar girls and hostelite girls and boy college students. The current study will give insight to related educational governing bodies to introduce effective educational methods and a sound environment for students where they can deal with academic stress effectively and be more involved in goal reengagement.

Supplemental Material for Goal Disengagement and Goal Reengagement: Associations With Depression, Anxiety, and Satisfaction With Life

Supplemental Material for Goal Disengagement and Goal Reengagement: Associations With Depression, Anxiety, and Satisfaction With Life

GOAL ADJUSTMENT CAPACITIES DURING COVID-19: CONTEXT-DEPENDENT BENEFITS FOR EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

Abstract Increased constraints and lost opportunities inherent in the COVID-19 pandemic can threaten important life goals and erode emotional well-being. Theories of lifespan development have identified goal adjustment capacities (goal disengagement and goal reengagement) as core self-regulatory resources that can buffer against declines in well-being. However, little is known about the pandemic-related contextual circumstances under which goal adjustment capacities may become more or less beneficial for well-being. Using longitudinal data from a nationally-representative sample of Americans across the adult lifespan (aged 18-80, n=286), we examined the consequences of goal adjustment capacities for emotional well-being under circumstances when individuals reported lower or higher constraints than normal in their lives. Specifically, multilevel models tested whether the influence of between-person differences in (Level 2) goal disengagement and goal reengagement on well-being were moderated by (Level 1) within-person fluctuations in perceived constraints. Analyses controlled for age, sex, education, and income. We observed cross-level Goal Reengagement x Perceived Constraints interactions for depressive symptoms, perceived stress, and positive affect (bs = -.11 to .07, ps &amp;lt; .05), but not negative affect. Results showed that the benefits of goal reengagement for depressive symptoms, perceived stress, and positive affect were pronounced on occasions when participants reported lower (vs. higher) than average perceived constraints in their lives. Findings point to the moderating role of pandemic-related contextual circumstances and suggest that goal reengagement may be most beneficial when individuals have fewer constraints than usual in their lives and may thus able to capitalize on opportunities to pursue new attainable goals.

Goal adjustment and well-being after an acquired brain injury: the role of cognitive flexibility and personality traits.

ObjectiveThe tendency to flexibly adjust goals that are hindered by chronic illness is related to indicators of wellbeing. However, cognitive flexibility is often impaired in persons with an acquired brain injury (ABI), possibly affecting the ability to flexibly adjust goals. In this study we examined whether cognitive flexibility is positively related with the ability to disengage from goals to reengage with goals in persons with ABI. Second, we explored whether goal adjustment abilities are predictive of a unique proportion of the variance inabilities are predictive of quality of life and life satisfaction after controlling for personality traits.MethodSeventy-eight persons with an ABI completed a set of questionnaires. Goal disengagement and goal reengagement were assessed using the Wrosch Goal Adjustment Scale (GAS). Indicators of wellbeing were measured with the European Brain Injury Questionnaire (EBIQ) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). The percentage of perseverative errors on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) was used as an indicator of cognitive inflexibility. Big Five personality traits were assessed via the NEO Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). Four hierarchical multiple regression analyses were then conducted. The first two analyses tested the effect of cognitive flexibility on goal adjustment tendencies. The second two analyses tested whether goal adjustment has a predictive value for life satisfaction and QOL beyond personality.ResultsCognitive flexibility was positively related to goal reengagement, but not to goal disengagement. Goal reengagement was positively associated with both quality of life and life satisfaction after controlling for demographic, illness characteristics and personality factors. Goal disengagement was negatively related to life satisfaction.ConclusionFlexible goal adjustment abilities have a unique explanatory value for indicators of wellbeing, beyond personality traits. The findings indicate that in persons with lower cognitive flexibility, goal reengagement ability might be negatively affected, and should be taking into account during rehabilitation.

Goal adjustment capacities in uncontrollable life circumstances: Benefits for psychological well-being during COVID-19.

Goal adjustment capacities (i.e., goal disengagement and goal reengagement) are core self-regulatory resources theorized to buffer psychological well-being during intractable life circumstances. However, research has yet to examine whether these capacities protect well-being for individuals who encounter uncontrollable losses in their ability to pursue important life goals due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a nationally-representative sample of U.S. adults aged 18–80 (n = 292), the present longitudinal study examined the extent to which goal disengagement and reengagement predicted levels and change in psychological well-being for individuals who differed in perceived control over their goals early in the pandemic. Results from multilevel growth models showed that goal reengagement, but not goal disengagement, capacities predicted higher levels of well-being during the pandemic (lower perceived stress, depressive symptoms; higher life satisfaction, meaning in life). Moderation models showed the benefits of goal reengagement for well-being were pronounced among individuals who perceived pandemic-induced declines in control over their goals. Findings inform theories of motivation and self-regulation and point to the adaptive value of goal reengagement capacities during uncontrollable life circumstances.

Perceived Coach-Created Motivational Climates as Predictors of Athletes' Goal Reengagement: The Mediational Role of Goal Motives.

Athletes have to face several challenges during the sport season, and one of them could involve dealing with unattainable goals. In these situations, being able to reengage in other goals as a form of goal adjustment and in response to contextual demands is adaptive. According to previous literature, some aspects of the athletes’ social context, such as coach-created motivational climates, could encourage more adaptive responses in athletes, and so it is possible that these climates would also promote athletes’ goal regulation and goal reengagement. The purpose of this study was twofold: to analyze whether athletes’ perception of empowering and disempowering climates were related to their goal reengagement through the mediation of goal motives; and to examine the interaction between the two climates when they predict reengagement through athletes’ goal motives. Participants were 414 Spanish university athletes (49.5% male, 50.5% female) who belonged to different university teams, with ages ranging from 17 to 33 years old (M = 20.61, SD = 2.58). In the sport facilities, all of them completed questionnaires that evaluated their perception of empowering and disempowering climates, their goal motives, and their goal reengagement. Structural equation modeling (SEM) results showed that perceived empowering climate positively predicted autonomous goal motives, which in turn had a positive relationship with goal reengagement. Conversely, perceived disempowering climate positively predicted controlled goal motives, which were not related to goal reengagement. Thus, we only found support for the indirect relationship between perceived empowering climate and goal reengagement through autonomous goal motives. Moderated mediation analyses revealed that interaction effects between perceived empowering and disempowering climates were not significant in the prediction of goal reengagement through goal motives. Findings revealed that the perception of empowering climates promotes athletes’ goal reengagement when goals become unattainable via the increase in their autonomous goal motives. Conversely, when athletes perceive disempowering climates, they have more controlled goal motives, which are not related to goal reengagement. In addition, the study supports the need to educate coaches to create more empowering and less disempowering climates.

Relationship Between Personality Measures and Perceived Mental Fatigability.

Examine the association between personality measures and perceived mental fatigability. We performed a cross-sectional analysis in N=1670 men, age 84.3±4.1 years. Multivariable linear regression models were used to examine the covariate adjusted association between personality measures (conscientiousness, optimism, goal reengagement, and goal disengagement) and perceived mental fatigability (measured with the validated 10-item Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale, PFS). One standard deviation lower conscientiousness (β=-0.91, p<.0001) and optimism (β=-0.63, p<.0001), and higher goal reengagement (β=0.51, p=.01) scores were independently associated with higher PFS Mental scores adjusted for age, cognitive function, self-reported health status, depressive symptoms, sleep disturbance, physical activity, and goal disengagement. Lower conscientiousness, optimism, and higher goal reengagement were linked with more severe perceived mental fatigability in older men. Personality traits may potentially contribute to early risk assessment for fatigability in later life. Future work should be longitudinal in nature and include personality assessments to confirm the temporality of the relationships observed.

To persist or not to persist? The dilemma of goal adjustment in chronic pain.

To persist or not to persist? The dilemma of goal adjustment in chronic pain.

Awareness of age-related change, future time perspective, and implications for goal adjustment in older adulthood

Objectives How people adjust their goals is central to adaptation across the lifespan. However, little is known about individual difference characteristics that predict how and why people use different self-regulatory strategies. The present study investigated associations of perceived age-related gains and losses, and their interaction, as predictors of goal adjustment in older adulthood. Furthermore, we examined whether future time perspective (FTP) mediated relationships between awareness of age-related change (AARC) and goal adjustment. Method A community-based sample of 408 adults (aged 60–88 years) was recruited via an internet-based research platform. Participants completed questionnaire measures of AARC, FTP, goal disengagement, and goal re-engagement. A flexibility index reflecting tendencies toward use of both goal disengagement and goal re-engagement strategies was also analyzed. Results Although AARC-losses was associated with lower goal re-engagement and goal flexibility, this association was weaker among those with higher AARC-gains, indicating AARC-gains may be protective in the relationship between AARC-losses and goal adjustment. The association between AARC and goal adjustment was also shown to be mediated by FTP. Higher AARC-gains was associated with more expansive FTP, which was associated with lower goal disengagement and higher goal re-engagement. On the other hand, higher AARC-losses was associated with more restricted FTP, which was associated with higher goal disengagement and lower goal re-engagement. Discussion Results have implications for how we conceptualize the combined effects of age-related gains and losses on developmental outcomes relevant to adaptive aging. Furthermore, perceptions of future time with advancing age may be implicated in processes linking AARC with goal adjustment.

Well-being as a resource for goal reengagement: Evidence from two longitudinal studies.

Well-being as a resource for goal reengagement: Evidence from two longitudinal studies.

Maladaptive Perfectionism and Academic Achievement in Indonesian Gifted Undergraduate Students: Goal Adjustment as Moderator

This paper examines the role of goal adjustment (goal disengagement and goal re-engagement) as a moderator of maladaptive perfectionism and academic achievement in Indonesian gifted undergraduate students. This cross-sectional study employs a mixed-method sequential explanatory approach. On the quantitative stage, eighty-six undergraduates identified as gifted students completed Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, Goal Adjustment Scale and self-reported GPA. On the qualitative stage, eight participants were selected from the quantitative stage to participate in a face to face interview. The result showed that maladaptive perfectionism negatively correlated with academic achievement. The interaction between maladaptive perfectionism and academic achievement moderated by goal disengagement show significant interaction, while goal re-engagement was not significant.

Awareness of Age-Related Change, Future Time Perspective, and Implications for Goal Management in Older Adulthood

How people manage their goals is central to adaptation across the lifespan. However, little is known about the individual difference characteristics that predict how and why people use different self-regulatory strategies. The present study aimed to investigate associations of perceived age-related gains and losses, and their interaction, as predictors of flexibility in goal management in older adulthood. We also examined whether future time perspective (FTP) mediated the relationship between AARC and goal flexibility, such that awareness of aging impacts perceptions of time remaining, impacting how individuals evaluate and manage their goals. A community-based sample of 408 adults aged between 60 and 88 years was recruited via an internet-based research platform. Participants completed questionnaire measures of AARC-gains, AARC-losses, FTP, goal disengagement, and goal re-engagement. A flexibility index reflecting tendencies toward use of both goal disengagement and re-engagement strategies was also analyzed. Although AARC-losses was associated with lower goal re-engagement and goal flexibility, this association was weaker among those with higher AARC-gains, indicating that AARC-gains may be protective in the relationship between AARC-losses and goal management. Furthermore, the association between AARC and goal management was mediated by FTP. Higher AARC-gains were associated with more open-ended FTP, which was associated with higher goal re-engagement and lower goal disengagement. On the other hand, higher AARC-losses was associated with more restricted FTP, which was associated with lower goal re-engagement, and higher goal disengagement. Results suggest that subjective awareness of aging (particularly awareness of gains), has important implications for goal management in older adulthood.

The Relationship Between Personality and Perceived Mental Fatigability

Several personality traits are known to be protective against global fatigue, however perceived mental fatigability (PMF, Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale 0-50) specifically measures an individual’s susceptibility to cognitive tiredness and is associated with mobility decline. We assessed whether optimism, conscientiousness, goal reengagement and goal disengagement contributed to greater PMF in 1,812 men (mean±SD age 84.4±4.2 years, 90.4% white) in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study 4th visit (2014-2016). Covariates included demographic, psychological/behavioral factors, health conditions, physical activity and function. Prevalence of higher PMF (score ≥13) was 25% (n=448). In a covariate-adjusted regression model, each SD lower conscientiousness and lower optimism were associated with 0.93 and 0.61 SDs greater PMF, each p<0.01. Goal disengagement and goal reengagement were not associated with PMF. These findings warrant further investigation into how personality traits may help clinicians design targeted and effective interventions to reduce fatigability, and consequently lower the risk of adverse aging-related health outcomes.