TY - JOUR
T1 - The path taken
T2 - Consequences of attaining intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations in post-college life
AU - Niemiec, Christopher P.
AU - Ryan, Richard M.
AU - Deci, Edward L.
N1 - Funding Information:
This research was supported in part by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (MH-53385), for which the second author was the PI.
PY - 2009/6
Y1 - 2009/6
N2 - Life goals, or aspirations, organize and direct behavior over extended periods of time. The current study, guided by self-determination theory, examined the consequences of pursuing and attaining aspirations over a 1-year period in a post-college sample. Results indicated that placing importance on either intrinsic or extrinsic aspirations related positively to attainment of those goals. Yet, whereas attainment of intrinsic aspirations related positively to psychological health, attainment of extrinsic aspirations did not; indeed, attainment of extrinsic aspirations related positively to indicators of ill-being. Also as predicted, the association between change in attainment of intrinsic aspirations and change in psychological health was mediated by change in the satisfaction of the basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Discussion focuses on the idea that not all goal attainment is beneficial; rather, attainment of aspirations with different contents relates differentially to psychological health.
AB - Life goals, or aspirations, organize and direct behavior over extended periods of time. The current study, guided by self-determination theory, examined the consequences of pursuing and attaining aspirations over a 1-year period in a post-college sample. Results indicated that placing importance on either intrinsic or extrinsic aspirations related positively to attainment of those goals. Yet, whereas attainment of intrinsic aspirations related positively to psychological health, attainment of extrinsic aspirations did not; indeed, attainment of extrinsic aspirations related positively to indicators of ill-being. Also as predicted, the association between change in attainment of intrinsic aspirations and change in psychological health was mediated by change in the satisfaction of the basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Discussion focuses on the idea that not all goal attainment is beneficial; rather, attainment of aspirations with different contents relates differentially to psychological health.
KW - Goal attainment
KW - Intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations
KW - Need satisfaction
KW - Psychological health
KW - Self-determination theory
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=64949133458&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jrp.2008.09.001
DO - 10.1016/j.jrp.2008.09.001
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:64949133458
SN - 0092-6566
VL - 43
SP - 291
EP - 306
JO - Journal of Research in Personality
JF - Journal of Research in Personality
IS - 3
ER -