Goal-setting Intervention Research Articles

Trauma Presentations To The ED, Are We Improving With Frailty Initiatives?

Abstract Background An emergency department serving as a regional Trauma Centre for the Midlands, now has a Rapid Access Frailty Team (RAFT) which provides timely assessments of all Frail patients over 75. The department has an approximate trauma attendance of 111 (2023 figures) annually within this age cohort. In line with our NOCA guidelines we performed a retrospective review of our trauma presentations since the introduction of the RAFT initiative, looking at the patient’s presentations and how interventions can improve our Trauma management. Methods This was a retrospective review of FRAIL positive patients in from January/February 2023 and January/February 2024 based on NOCA 2021 subsets of trauma data. Data was collected using examination of IPIMS and ED notes obtained for review. We compared both years to see we could see if RAFTT interventions improved our trauma triage and care. Results The predominant mechanism of injury remains to be a fall (85% in 2023 and 74% in 2024), and the majority of traumas being in the home setting (70% in 2023 and 78% in 2024). By the early involvement of a nurse specialist, physio/OT and doctor, time to be seen has reduced by 23% since the introduction of the team, time to imaging has improved by 51% and time to bed if admitted has improved by 19%. Pre alerts remain low, similar to national data findings (10% in 2023, but up to 15% in 2024). Conclusion Data points to the team’s provision of timely, patient-focused assessments and interventions for the older person are improving outcomes. The unique assessment skills that the team deliver aids rapid assessment, supports timely decision-making and referral as appropriate; improving the patient’s journey by either facilitating early discharge or providing early goal-setting therapy interventions at the start of the hospital journey.

Chasing the Goal(s): how a goal-Setting Intervention Influences Transfer Motivation, its antecedents and Transfer of training for different training types

ABSTRACT Despite organizational investments in employee training, transfer of training remains low. One important component influencing transfer of training is transfer motivation, which is predicted by personal and contextual antecedents. Previous research has shown that goal-setting can increase transfer of training. However, it is unclear what antecedents of transfer of training are influenced through goal-setting and if these effects differ for different training types. Using the lens of the Unified model of Task-specific Motivation, this study investigated the effects of goal-setting on antecedents of transfer of training. Data were collected among 615 participants, which were randomly assigned to a goal-setting or control group. Both groups filled in a questionnaire directly after the training and indicated transfer after six weeks. Results showed beneficial effects of goal-setting for subjective norm and perceived freedom of action, whereas effects for transfer motivation were mixed. Moreover, effects of goal-setting differed for different training types. Most effects of goal-setting were found among hard-skill trainings and no effects among in-person trainings. Importantly, we found no differences for personal antecedents, transfer intention or transfer of training itself. Our results underline the necessity to intensify intervention designs and to consider specific training characteristics to raise transfer of training.

Ready, Set, Goal: A Mixed Methods Study of a Goal-Setting Intervention on 2 Competency-Based Geriatric Medicine Rotations.

Background More research is required to understand the effects of implementing structured goal-setting on trainee engagement in competency-based clinical learning environments. Objective To explore how residents experienced a rotation-specific goal-setting intervention on geriatric medicine rotations at 2 hospitals. Methods All rotating residents were expected to complete the intervention, consisting of a SMART-based (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) goal-setting form and feedback sessions with teaching faculty. From November 2019 to June 2021, we recruited a convenience sample of rotating residents. Study participants completed pre- and postrotation 35-item Dutch Residency Educational Climate Test (D-RECT) questionnaires to compare scores from their rotation before the geriatric rotation and a postrotation semistructured interview, which we transcribed and analyzed using principles of constant comparison and reflexive thematic analysis. Results We interviewed 12 of 58 (20.7%) residents participating in the goal-setting intervention, 11 of whom completed both D-RECT questionnaires. Participants' D-RECT scores favored the geriatric medicine rotation versus the immediately preceding clinical rotation (M=4.29±0.37; M=3.84±0.44, P=.002). Analyses of interview transcripts yielded 3 themes on how participants perceived the intervention influenced their learning experience: (1) structured forms and processes mediate, inform, and constrain goal selection; (2) interactions with faculty, patients, and system factors influenced goal enactment; and (3) unstructured assessments led to uncertainty around goal achievement. Challenges included time restrictions and unpredictable clinical opportunities. Conclusions Goal-setting appeared to help many residents direct their learning efforts and engage in collaborative processes with teaching faculty. We identified challenges limiting residents' engagement with the goal-setting intervention, which may inform the practical implementation of goal-setting in other competency-based curricula.

The Effects of Goal-Setting Intervention with Mobile Apps on Behavioral Regulation and Life Quality

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile-based goal-setting intervention among university students compared to the control group. The main hypothesis of the study was that the intervention would affect the behavioral regulation and life quality of students. The participants of this study were first-year economics students from a Chinese university. The research method was a questionnaire. At the start, the life quality and behavioral regulation of students did not significantly differ. In the post-test, intergroup differences in behavioral regulation were generally significant, but the size of the effects was small. In terms of life quality, the post-test revealed significant intergroup differences with strong effect sizes. Changes in Intrinsic regulation predicted change in Social Relationships, and changes in lntrojected regulation and Identified regulation predicted change in Psychological Health. This study postulates the need to develop behavioral skills to systematically engage in physical activity.

What Effect Do Goal Setting Interventions Have on Physical Activity and Psychological Outcomes in Insufficiently Active Adults? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Goal setting is commonly used for promoting physical activity (PA) among insufficiently active individuals. Previous reviews have analyzed the effects of goal setting on PA, but the purpose of this systematic review was to examine the concurrent effects of goal setting on PA and psychological outcomes in insufficiently active individuals to support interventions aiming to produce sustained PA behavior change. In this review (PROSPERO: CRD42021243970), we identified 13 studies with 1208 insufficiently active adults that reported the effects of goal-setting interventions (range 3-24wk) on both PA and psychological outcomes (eg,self-efficacy, motivation, and affect). We used meta-analysis and narrative synthesis to analyze these effects. All goals used in the included studies were specific goals. Setting specific goals had a large, positive effect on PA (g [standard mean difference] = 1.11 [P < .001]; 95% confidence interval, 0.74-1.47), but only a small, positive effect on the combined psychological outcomes (g [standard mean difference] = 0.25 [P < .001]; 95% CI, 0.10-0.40). Moderator analyses revealed that interventions that did not reward participants had a significantly greater effect on PA than interventions that did provide rewards (g = 1.30 vs 0.60, respectively, P ≤ .003). No other significant moderators were found. Our review offers initial insight into the long-term effects of specific goals on PA and psychological outcomes in insufficiently active adults. Further research that examines the PA and psychological effects of goal-setting interventions and investigates a wider range of goal types could develop a stronger evidence base to inform intervention for insufficiently active individuals.

Efficacy of interventions and techniques on adherence to physiotherapy in adults: an overview of systematic reviews and panoramic meta-analysis

BackgroundAdherence to physiotherapeutic treatment and recommendations is crucial to achieving planned goals and desired health outcomes. This overview of systematic reviews synthesises the wide range of additional interventions and behaviour change techniques used in physiotherapy, exercise therapy and physical therapy to promote adherence and summarises the evidence of their efficacy.MethodsSeven databases (PEDro, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO and CINAHL) were systematically searched with terms related to physiotherapy, motivation, behaviour change, adherence and efficacy (last searched on January 31, 2023). Only systematic reviews of randomised control trials with adults were included. The screening process and quality assessment with AMSTAR-2 were conducted independently by the two authors. The extracted data was synthesised narratively. In addition, four meta-analyses were pooled in a panoramic meta-analysis.ResultsOf 187 reviews identified in the search, 19 were included, comprising 205 unique trials. Four meta-analyses on the effects of booster sessions, behaviour change techniques, goal setting and motivational interventions showed a significantly small overall effect (SMD 0.24, 95% CI 0.13, 0.34) and no statistical heterogeneity (I2 = 0%) in the panoramic meta-analysis. Narrative synthesis revealed substantial clinical and methodological diversity. In total, the certainty of evidence is low regarding the efficacy of the investigated interventions and techniques on adherence, due to various methodological flaws. Most of the RCTs that were included in the reviews analysed cognitive and behavioural interventions in patients with musculoskeletal diseases, indicating moderate evidence for the efficacy of some techniques, particularly, booster sessions, supervision and graded exercise. The reviews provided less evidence for the efficacy of educational and psychosocial interventions and partly inconsistent findings. Most of the available evidence refers to short to medium-term efficacy. The combination of a higher number of behaviour change techniques was more efficacious.ConclusionsThe overview of reviews synthesised various potentially efficacious techniques that may be combined for a holistic and patient-centred approach and may support tailoring complex interventions to the patient’s needs and dispositions. It also identifies various research gaps and calls for a more holistic approach to define and measure adherence in physiotherapy.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42021267355.

Feasibility of Fit24, a Digital Diabetes Prevention Program for Hispanic Adolescents: Qualitative Evaluation Study.

Digital health interventions are promising for reaching and engaging high-risk youth in disease prevention opportunities; however, few digital prevention interventions have been developed for Hispanic youth, limiting our knowledge of these strategies among this population. This study qualitatively assessed the feasibility and acceptability of Fit24, a 12-week goal-setting intervention that uses a Fitbit watch (Fitbit Inc) and theoretically grounded SMS text messages to promote physical activity and sleep among Hispanic adolescents (aged between 14 and 16 years) with obesity. After completing the intervention, a subsample of youth (N=15) participated in an in-depth interview. We categorized the themes into dimensions based on participant perspectives using the Practical, Robust Implementation, and Sustainability Model (PRISM) framework. Participants shared positive perceptions of wearing the Fitbit and receiving SMS text messages. Youth were highly engaged in monitoring their behaviors and perceived increased activity and sleep. Almost all youth organically received social support from a peer or family member and suggested the use of a group chat or team challenge for integrating peers into future interventions. However, most youth also expressed the need to take personal responsibility for the change in their behavior. Barriers that impacted the feasibility of the study included the skin-irritating material on the Fitbit watch band and environmental barriers (eg, lack of resources and school schedules), that limited participation in activity suggestions. Additionally, sync issues with the Fitbit limited the transmission of data, leading to inaccurate feedback. Fit24 is a promising approach for engaging Hispanic youth in a diabetes prevention program. Strategies are needed to address technical issues with the Fitbit and environmental issues such as message timing. While integrating peer social support may be desired by some, peer support strategies should be mindful of youth's desire to foster personal motivation for behavior change. Findings from this study will inform future diabetes prevention trials of Fit24 and other digital health interventions for high-risk pediatric populations.

Different components of cognitive-behavioral therapy affect specific cognitive mechanisms.

Psychological therapies are among the most effective treatments for common mental health problems-however, we still know relatively little about how exactly they improve symptoms. Here, we demonstrate the power of combining theory with computational methods to parse effects of different components of cognitive-behavioral therapies onto underlying mechanisms. Specifically, we present data from a series of randomized-controlled experiments testing the effects of brief components of behavioral and cognitive therapies on different cognitive processes, using well-validated behavioral measures and associated computational models. A goal setting intervention, based on behavioral activation therapy activities, reliably and selectively reduced sensitivity to effort when deciding how to act to gain reward. By contrast, a cognitive restructuring intervention, based on cognitive therapy materials, reliably and selectively reduced the tendency to attribute negative everyday events to self-related causes. The effects of each intervention were specific to these respective measures. Our approach provides a basis for beginning to understand how different elements of common psychotherapy programs may work.

Increasing Employee Physical Activity Using Goal Setting and a Smartphone App.

Physical inactivity is a high-priority public health issue in U.S. worksites. There is evidence that physical activity (PA) goal-setting interventions can be effective. Smartphone apps have also been used to deliver accessible and appealing PA interventions. This article describes the use of goal setting and a no-cost PA smartphone app to pilot an 8-week PA intervention, Project Move 2.0, to increase PA among a nonprofit health and social assistance workforce. The community-based partnership identified intervention strategies that addressed moderators for setting PA goals: feedback, goal commitment, situational factors, and ability. The intervention included the use of a no-cost smartphone app for tracking steps/goal setting, an orientation/health education session, weekly text messages, as well as pre- and post-measures for goal setting for PA behaviors and an intervention evaluation questionnaire. There is limited knowledge on the practical aspects of applying goal setting and the use of a no-cost smartphone app to increase employee PA through a workplace PA intervention. Applying goal setting and the use of a no-cost smartphone app shows promise for workplace health promoters to successfully address employee PA.

The Effect of Four Weeks Goal-Setting Training Programme on Football Passing Competencies among Students in Bayelsa State Sports Academy

This paper investigates the effects of goal-setting training on the football passing competencies of students enrolled in the Bayelsa State Sports Academy. The study aims to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on sports psychology and athlete development by assessing the effectiveness of a structured goal-setting intervention in enhancing passing skills in the context of football training. A pre-test and post-test design was employed to assess passing competencies among students in Bayelsa State Sports Academy before and after the goal-setting training intervention. 40 JSS1 students of the Bayelsa State Sports Academy were drawn from the class register comprising of JSSI A-C using the purposive sampling technique. The instrument that was used for data collection of this study was the observation schedule. Scoring was based on number of successful performances made out of (3) attempts by each of the participants for push pass, long pass, diagonal pass and backward pass. The descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation were utilized in answering research question while the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with a significance level of.05 was utilized to test hypothesis. The study concluded that there is a statistically significant effect of goal-setting training on football passing competencies among students in the Bayelsa State Sports Academy and through the implementation of a structured goal-setting intervention, participants exhibited notable improvements in their passing skills, as evidenced by the quantitative and qualitative data collected.

Individualizing goal-setting interventions using automated writing evaluation to support secondary school students’ text revisions

BackgroundRevising is central in the process of writing and for acquiring writing skills. Setting revision goals is challenging especially for novice writers: students do not revise frequently, especially in homework conditions that demand high levels of self-regulation. Empirical studies of goal-setting interventions providing a detailed list of goals show positive effects on students’ revisions, and researchers have argued that individualizing such goal-setting interventions could increase intervention effectiveness. AimsThe present study investigated an individualized goal-setting intervention that provided a list of goals based on students' previous writing using automated writing evaluation. SampleParticipants were 345 academic track students from upper-secondary schools in Germany. MethodsWe asked students to write a text in English as a second language (ESL) as homework and then to revise it. In a hierarchical sequence of four groups, we expanded the information to support students in self-evaluating their texts and setting appropriately challenging revising goals in a stepwise manner. Students received a textbook passage showing a list of process goals (all groups), an assessment rubric (groups two, three, and four), an automated performance score (groups three and four), and individualized goal-setting instruction based on their performance score and the textbook passage (group four). ResultsStudents receiving individualized goal-setting instructions showed the largest revision performance compared to the other groups, with and without controlling for text length. ConclusionsWe discuss how goal-setting support in ESL writing can benefit from automated writing evaluation to provide individualized support and thus improve the effectiveness of goal-setting interventions in supporting students’ revision performances.

The impact of veteran support and resources for diabetes (iNSPiRED) on diabetes distress: Results from a randomized, parallel-group trial

ObjectiveThe primary objective of this research was to assess the impact of a novel, peer-directed intervention (iNSPiRED) on diabetes distress (DD) among veterans with type 2 diabetes and DD. Secondary objectives were to assess iNSPiRED's impact on anxiety, depression, and diabetes self-management behaviors. MethodA single-blinded, randomized, parallel-group trial was conducted. Participants (n = 218) were recruited through a Veterans Affairs medical center and community agencies in a major metropolitan area from September 2019 through January 2022. Certified mental health peer specialists delivered iNSPiRED, a three-month goal-setting and resource navigation intervention. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, postintervention, and month six. Multilevel random-intercept linear regression models with treatment x time interaction terms were used to assess treatment effects. ResultsFrequency of following a healthy eating plan was higher for iNSPiRED vs usual care at month three relative to baseline (B = 0.58; p = 0.03) after adjusting for race and socioeconomic status. No other treatment effects differed significantly from zero (ps ≥ 0.05). ConclusionPeer-directed interventions have the potential to deliver low-cost, highly scalable care. However, based on the largely negative findings of the current study, it is likely that more intense, multimodal interventions are needed to address DD.

Acceptability and Feasibility of a Pain and Depressive Symptoms Management Intervention in Middle-Aged and Older African American Women.

The intersection of race, gender, and age puts older African American women at high risk of experiencing comorbid pain and depressive symptoms. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week behavioral activation intervention to target self-selected goals related to pain and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older African American women. This randomized waitlist control study included 34 self-identified African American women, 50 years of age or older, with moderate-to-severe chronic pain and depressive symptoms. The intervention consisted of 8 in-person or virtual 1-hour visits with a nurse. Follow-up acceptability assessments were conducted with 10 participants. The average age of the participants was 64.8 (standard deviation [SD] 10.5). They reported an average pain intensity score of 7.0 (SD 1.9) out of 10 and an average Patient Health Questionnaire-9 depressive symptoms score of 11.9 (SD 4.0) at baseline. Of the 34 participants who consented, 28 (82.4%) women started the intervention and 23 (82.1%) completed the intervention. Participants described the study as useful and beneficial. Participants recommended including a group component in future iterations. Effect sizes at 12 weeks were -0.95 for depressive symptoms indicating a substantial decrease in experienced depressive symptoms, but pain intensity was virtually unchanged (+0.09). The findings of this study demonstrate that the intervention is acceptable among middle-aged and older African American women and their personal goals were met. Including a group component and identifying effective ways to decrease attrition rates will be key in the next steps of development for this intervention. It is crucial to provide tailored, nonpharmacological approaches to pain, and depression symptom management in older adult populations who experience inequities in pain and mental health outcomes. This study emphasizes the importance of participant-driven goal-setting interventions.

Reflective Goal-setting Improves Academic Performance in Teacher and Business Education: A Large-scale Field Experiment

A reflective goal-setting intervention could help students adjust to higher education, and improve their performance and well-being, as has been shown by small-scale and quasi-experimental studies conducted so far. However, a large experimental study found no effects, highlighting the importance of replication, and a better understanding of the mechanisms that explain when and why the intervention works. This replication study tested the effects of such a goal-setting intervention on the academic performance of 1,134 first-year business and teacher education students, with a randomized control trial. The treatment group earned significantly more course credits, and had a 15% lower risk of dropping out of college, compared to the control group. Contrary to the findings of previous studies, this study found no evidence that these effects are larger for men, or ethnic minorities. Additionally, we found no effect of the intervention on self-regulated learning, resilience, grit, engagement, or well-being.

Goal setting in physiotherapy-led adult musculoskeletal care: A scoping review.

Goal setting is a key part of rehabilitation across various fields of physiotherapy. It is less clear what evidence exists to underpin its effectiveness and to practically guide its use within musculoskeletal physiotherapy. This scoping review provides an overview of current research regarding goal setting in adult physiotherapy-led musculoskeletal care with three aims: 1) to identify and analyse any gaps in the literature, 2) to identify relevant features of goal setting theory and 3) to make recommendations for future research. The principal research question was what does the literature tell us about the role of goal setting for adults over the age of 18 with musculoskeletal pain accessing outpatient physiotherapy services? The population, concept and context framework was used to define the inclusion criteria. Key definitions were adults over the age of 18 with musculoskeletal conditions, goal setting, and physiotherapy-led interventions. This scoping review followed the guidance set out by the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis. Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature Plus with Full Text, MEDLINE, American Psychological Association PsycInfo and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Protocols and Trials were searched using pre-defined search criteria. Data were extracted from screened full-text articles and presented in basic statistical and narrative form. 41 articles were included in the review. Several broad themes and research methods were identified. The nature of the studies suggested that the clinical application of goal setting is complex and the depth of understanding is limited. Most studies suggested that goal setting is feasible and has a positive impact on outcomes. A common finding was a lack of clear definitions regarding goal setting terminology and approaches. Study samples were generally defined by biomedical categories, suggesting a pathoanatomical approach to researching a cognitive construct. Theoretical underpinning was lacking in many studies. No frameworks guiding goal setting in physiotherapy-led musculoskeletal rehabilitation have been identified. Goal setting is a popular tool within musculoskeletal outpatient physiotherapy. Further research is required to clarify its efficacy and provide guidance on its role and application in clinical practice.

Implementing a tailored, co-designed goal-setting implementation package in rehabilitation services: a process evaluation

Purpose This study aims to evaluate the process of implementing an evidence-based goal-setting package into five rehabilitation services across the continuum of rehabilitation. Materials and methods This study used a mixed methods approach guided by Medical Research Council (MRC) recommendations for conducting process evaluations, the RE-AIM framework, and the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). This study will evaluate the reach, adoption, implementation, and maintenance of the goal-setting package over six months. Results Environmental context and resources, the clinician’s social and professional role and identity, social influences and clinician beliefs about goal-setting consequences and individuals’ capabilities were all identified as barriers or enablers throughout the implementation process. Community rehabilitation services faced challenges implementing paper-based resources, whilst inpatient rehabilitation sites faced challenges engaging nursing staff in the interdisciplinary approach to goal-setting. Social influences were an enabler in two sites that used the case conference format to facilitate setting common goals. Clinicians in all sites continued to express difficulties implementing shared decision-making with people who had cognitive impairments or were no longer progressing in their rehabilitation. Conclusions A team-based approach to implementing the goal-setting interventions centred around the case conference format appeared to be the most successful mode for implementing interdisciplinary person-centred goal-setting.

Self‐monitoring with goal‐setting: Decreasing disruptive behavior in children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder

AbstractThis study sought to investigate the effects of a self‐monitoring (SM) with goal‐setting (GS) intervention on students' disruptive behavior. A multiple baseline A‐B‐BC design was implemented across five elementary school‐aged participants diagnosed with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to examine the use of a behavioral intervention combining SM and GS techniques to decrease disruptive behavior. The results of this study suggest that SM with GS appears to be an effective intervention package for decreasing the disruptive behavior of students with ADHD and that these behavioral decreases sustain after intervention completion. Results also suggest moderate benefits of using a SM with GS intervention over a SM intervention. Teacher ratings suggest that the SM with GS package is moderately acceptable for classroom use.

Goal-Setting Interventions in Sports: Public Goal Monitoring Improves Swimmers' Motivation and Performance

Interventions based on the goal-setting theory include a goal-setting situation and provision of different variations of feedback. Previous studies did not compare the impact of different goal-setting interventions on young athletes' performance. This preliminary work aimed to examine the effectiveness of two interventions, goal-setting with private monitoring and goal-setting with public posting. In the study, young swimmers (N = 42) were assigned to a public monitoring condition, a private monitoring condition, and a control condition. A difference was found in the attendance of training sessions, with the public posting group being superior to other groups. Controlling for baseline performance, participants in the public posting condition performed better than control participants. Public posting created conditions in which it was easier to accept set goals as focal and put greater effort into their attainment. The results contribute to a better understanding of how goal monitoring motivates behavior and performance.

Development, Feasibility, Impact and Acceptability of a Community Pharmacy-Based Diabetes Care Plan in a Low-Middle-Income Country.

Informed by existing research, mostly from high-income countries, this study aimed to develop and test the feasibility of a community pharmacy person-centred goal-setting intervention for people living with type 2 diabetes in a low-middle-income country-Nigeria. The Medical Research Council (MRC) guidance for developing complex interventions framed the intervention development. Patients participated in monthly community pharmacist consultations over six months. Self-reported and clinical outcome measures were collected at baseline and study completion and analysed in STATA V.14. Twenty pharmacists in 20 pharmacies completed the research and enrolled 104 patients. Of these, 89 patients had complete study data, and 70 patients also completed a post-study evaluation questionnaire. In addition, 15 patients and 10 pharmacists were interviewed. All outcome measures showed statistically significant improvements (p < 0.05). Clinical outcomes (BMI, waist circumference, and fasting plasma glucose) improved significantly. Mean patient activation measure (PAM©), quality of life (EQ-VAS©), and medication adherence improved from baseline to study completion. Eighty-eight per cent of questionnaire respondents were satisfied with the service. Interviews indicated care plan acceptability, patient satisfaction, empowerment, and service enthusiasm. Identified barriers to the consultations included time and technology. This study developed a feasible, effective, well-perceived community pharmacy diabetes care plan in Nigeria.

Goalsetting is Mindsetting: Guided Reflection on Life Goals Taps Into the Plasticity of Motivational Mindsets.

The working mechanism of an effective online lifegoal-setting intervention was recently proposed by means of the motivational mindset model (MMM). The MMM contains four types of mindset profiles (high-impact, low-impact, social-impact, and self-impact) based on multiple, co-occurring motives that students hold for studying. The present paper aims to qualitatively investigate the mechanism and explores whether the goal-setting intervention fosters a favorable change in mindset. To this end, a deductive content analysis was used to examine the life goal motives in the written goal-setting essays of 48 first-year university students (33% female; 8.3% ethnic minority; Mage = 19.5, age range 17-30years). Life goal motives were coded according to four dimensions along two distinctions (self-oriented versus self-transcendent, and intrinsic versus extrinsic) and analyses were focused on comparisons between changed and stable mindsets. Results show that students who changed from a low-impact mindset to a social-impact mindset expressed intrinsic self-oriented and intrinsic self-transcendent motives to a similar extent as stable social-impact mindset students. This pattern indicates that the positive change in mindset already occurred during the reflection assignment and substantiates the proposed mechanism of the goal-setting intervention. The implications of the findings are discussed as well as directions for future research.