Emerging adults' goal pursuit

Previous

Citation article

Title:
Why we do what we do matters for how we feel: Links among autonomous goal regulation, need fulfillment, and well-being in daily life
Authors:
Sosin, A., Neubauer, A. B.
Year of publication:
2024
Publication name:
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
Volume number:
127
Issue number:
5
Page numbers:
1103–1125
DOI or URL:
https://doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000522
Publication type:
Refereed Journal Article

Study details

Baseline session:
Yes
Followup session:
No
Study design:
Study Part 1 In the first study part, participants registered for the study by providing their e-mail address and received an e-mail with a QR code that led them to the study in the Samply Research app. Study Part 2 The baseline questionnaire was sent out on 25 April 2022 and could be completed until 01 May 2022. Only participants who completed the baseline questionnaire at least to the point where they indicated their three personal goals were able to continue participating in the study. Completing the baseline questionnaire took about 20 – 25 minutes. Study Part 3 Participants received three daily and an additional fourth (evening) questionnaire over a three-week period (from 02 May 2022 to 22 May 2022). Daily questionnaires could be opened for up to 60 minutes after receiving the notification and took about 2 – 3 minutes to complete. Completion of the evening questionnaire took about 4 – 5 minutes. Participants were instructed to complete the evening questionnaire before going to bed. The evening questionnaire could be opened for up to eight hours after the notifications were sent.
ESM measurement waves:
1
Ethics granting body:
Ethics Committee of the DIPF | Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education
Ethics protocol number:
DIPF_EK_2022_06
Year/s data was collected:
2022
Location of participants (Countries):
Germany
Background information:
The three first questionnaire of each day were assessed in a semi-random fashion. Participants could choose between an early schedule (assessments between 9:30am and 6:30pm) and a late schedule (assessments between 11:00am and 8:00pm). Assessment windows differed depending on the day of the week (see study protocol, Table 2, for details: https://osf.io/4pk3f/files/54h9m). Time out for the questionnaires was 60 minutes. The end of day questionnaire was sent out every day between 8:00 and 8:05 pm (early schedule) or between 9:30 and 9:35 pm (late schedule), respectively. Participants were instructed to complete this questionnaire at any point between receiving the questionnaire and going to bed. Time out for the questionnaires was 8 hours.
Languages:
German
Setting:
---
Collection platform:
---
Preregistration URL:
---
Days of ESM data collection:
21
Number of ESM measures per day:
4 (=3 ESM surveys + 1 end of day survey)
Sampling schedule:
mixed/other
ESM schedule start time:
09:30
ESM schedule end time:
05:35
ESM schedule duration:
---

Sample details

Type of sample:
207 Young adults (166 female, 32 male, 8 non-binary, 1 person without information on gender provided) aged 16 to 30 years who owned an Internet-enabled smartphone living in Germany (Mean age = 22.72, SD = 3.1).
Recruitment information:
Participants were recruited via university mailing lists, flyers on university boards, and via Instagram. Inclusion criteria were (a) owning an Internet-enabled smartphone with Android or iOS operating system, (b) agreeing to install the Samply Research app on the smartphone for the duration of the study, and (c) age between 16 and 30 years.
Incentives:
Participants received a retail voucher of €5 for participating in study parts 1 and 2. If participants participated in all three study parts, they received a voucher worth €25. If they completed at least 85% of the daily questionnaires in the third study part (i.e., at least 71 of the possible 84 questionnaires), they received a €15 voucher on top (total maximum amount of compensation: €40).
Exclusions:
221 participants had signed up for the study in the Samply app. Those 14 participsnts who did not complete the baseline questionnaire at least to the point where they indicated their three personal goals (after about one third of the basleline questtionaire) were excluded from the next part of the study and their data are not included in the uploaded data file.
Number of participants:
207

Contact info

Contact:
Andreas Neubauer
Contact email:
neubauer@psych.rwth-aachen.de
Selection Variable Info Assessment type Constructs Branching
UUID Default None
Date_Local Default None
Time_Local Default None
AL01 Alternative Activity ESM
AL02_01 …because others think worse of me if I do not pursue the activity. ESM
AL02_02 …because I feel like I have to. ESM
AL02_03 …because other people expect me to do so. ESM
AL02_04 …because I would feel guilty if I did not pursue the activity. ESM
AL02_05 …because I want to prove to myself or others that I can achieve this activity. ESM
AL02_06 …because I would feel bad if I didn't do so. ESM
AL02_07 …because this activity is personally important to me. ESM
AL02_08 …because this activitiy means a lot to me. ESM
AL02_09 …because this activity is part of me and part of my identity. ESM
AL02_10 …because I enjoy this activity. ESM
AL02_11 …because I think it's interesting. ESM
AL02_12 …because I think it's exciting. ESM
BB01_01 …I felt that the people I care about also care about me. ESM
BB01_02 …I felt close and connected with other people who are important to me. ESM
BB01_03 …I had the feeling that others do not really like me. ESM
BB01_04 …I felt unappreciated by one or more important people. ESM
BB01_05 …I was free to do things my own way. ESM
BB01_06 …I was doing what really interests me. ESM
BB01_07 …I felt pressured to do too many things. ESM
BB01_08 …many things felt like an obligation. ESM
BB01_09 …I did well even at the hard things. ESM
BB01_10 …I accomplished everything the way I wanted to. ESM
BB01_11 …I was disappointed with my performances. ESM
BB01_12 …I had the feeling that I am not good at something ESM
BB02_01 …I felt that the people I care about also care about me. ESM
BB02_02 …I felt close and connected with other people who are important to me. ESM
BB02_03 …I had the feeling that others do not really like me. ESM
BB02_04 …I felt unappreciated by one or more important people. ESM
BB02_05 …I was free to do things my own way. ESM
BB02_06 …I was doing what really interests me. ESM
BB02_07 …I felt pressured to do too many things. ESM
BB02_08 …many things felt like an obligation. ESM
BB02_09 …I did well even at the hard things. ESM
BB02_10 …I accomplished everything the way I wanted to. ESM
BB02_11 …I was disappointed with my performances. ESM
BB02_12 …I had the feeling that I am not good at something. ESM
BB03_01 ...I felt that the people I care about also care about me. ESM
BB03_02 ...I felt close and connected with other people who are important to me. ESM
BB03_03 ...I had the feeling that others do not really like me. ESM
BB03_04 ...I felt unappreciated by one or more important people. ESM
BB03_05 ...I was free to do things my own way. ESM
BB03_06 ...I was doing what really interests me. ESM
BB03_07 ...I felt pressured to do too many things. ESM
BB03_08 ...many things felt like an obligation. ESM
BB03_09 ...I did well even at the hard things. ESM
BB03_10 ...I accomplished everything the way I wanted to. ESM
BB03_11 ...I was disappointed wiht my performances. ESM
BB03_12 ...I had the feeling that I am not good at something ESM
beep Beep number ESM
Date_Local_Baseline Date on which participant completed baseline Baseline
Day Study day ESM
DI01 Where are you right now? ESM
DI02 Are you currently with others or alone? You can select multiple answers. ESM
DI02_01 alone ESM
DI02_02 with my partner ESM
DI02_03 with my parents ESM
DI02_04 with other relatives ESM
DI02_05 with friends ESM
DI02_06 with fellow students/ colleagues ESM
DI02_07 with strangers ESM
DI02_08 with someone elese, namely... ESM
DI03_01 Has anything happened since the last survey that you perceived as particularly positive? ESM
DI03_02 Has anything happened since the last survey that you perceived as particularly unpleasant? ESM
DI04_01 Did you consider the notification for this survey to be a disturbance? ESM
EA01_01 ...time of many possibilites. Baseline
EA01_02 ...time of exploration. Baseline
EA01_03 ...time of confusion. Baseline
EA01_04 ...time of experimentation. Baseline
EA01_05 ...time of personal freedom. Baseline
EA01_06 ...time of feeling restricted. Baseline
EA01_07 ...time of responsibility for yourself. Baseline
EA01_08 ...time of feeling stressed out. Baseline
EA01_09 ...time of instability. Baseline
EA01_10 ...time of optimism. Baseline
EA01_11 ...time of high pressure. Baseline
EA01_12 ...time of finding out who you are. Baseline
EA01_13 ...time of independence. Baseline
EA01_14 ...time of open choices. Baseline
EA01_15 ...time of unpredictability. Baseline
EA01_16 ...time of self-sufficiency. Baseline
EA01_17 ...time of many worries. Baseline
EA01_18 ...time of trying out new things. Baseline
EA01_19 ...time of focusing on yourself. Baseline
EA01_20 ...time of separating from parents. Baseline
EA01_21 ...time of defining yourself. Baseline
EA01_22 ...time of planning for the future. Baseline
EA01_23 ...time of seeking a sense of meaning. Baseline
EA01_24 ...time of deciding on your own beliefs and values. Baseline
EA01_25 ...time of learning to think for yourself. Baseline
EA01_26 ...time of feeling adult in some ways but not others. Baseline
EA01_27 ...time of gradually becoming an adult. Baseline
EA01_28 ...time of being not sure whther you have reached full adulthood. Baseline
goal Goal for which the participants have worked (most) since the last survey. ESM
LG01_01 To grow and learn new things. Baseline
LG01_02 At the end of my life, to be able to look back on my life as meaningful and complete. Baseline
LG01_03 To choose what I do, instead of being pushed along by life. Baseline
LG01_04 To know and accept who I really am. Baseline
LG01_05 To gain increasing insight into why I do the things I do. Baseline
LG01_06 To have good friends that I can count on. Baseline
LG01_07 To share my life with someone I love. Baseline
LG01_08 To have committed, intimate relationships. Baseline
LG01_09 To feel that there are people who really love me, and whom I love. Baseline
LG01_10 To have deep, enduring relationships. Baseline
LG01_11 To work for the betterment of society. Baseline
LG01_12 To assist people who need it, asking nothing in return. Baseline
LG01_13 To work to make the world a better place. Baseline
LG01_14 To help others improve their lives. Baseline
LG01_15 To help people in need. Baseline
LG01_16 To be a very wealthy person. Baseline
LG01_17 To have many expensive possessions. Baseline
LG01_18 To be financially successful. Baseline
LG01_19 To be rich. Baseline
LG01_20 To have enough money to buy everything I want. Baseline
LG01_21 To have my name known by many people. Baseline
LG01_22 To be admired by many people. Baseline
LG01_23 To be famous. Baseline
LG01_24 To have my name appear frequently in the media. Baseline
LG01_25 To be admired by lots of different people. Baseline
LG01_26 To successfully hide the signs of aging. Baseline
LG01_27 To have people comment often about how attractive I look. Baseline
LG01_28 To keep up with fashions in hair and clothing. Baseline
LG01_29 To achieve the "look" I've been after. Baseline
LG01_30 To have an image that others find appealing. Baseline
MA01 …because others think worse of me if I had not done these tasks and assignments. ESM
MA02 …because I felt like I had to. ESM
MA03 …because other people expected me to do so. ESM
MA04 …because I would feel guilty if I didn't do the tasks and assignments. ESM
MA05 …because I wanted to prove to myself or others that I could do so. ESM
MA06 …because I would have felt bad if I didn't do so. ESM
MA07 …because these tasks and assignments were personally important to me. ESM
MA08 …because these tasks and assignments meant a lot to me. ESM
MA09 …because these tasks and assignments are part of me and part of my identity. ESM
MA10 …because I enjoyed the tasks and assignments. ESM
MA11 …because I thought these tasks and assignments were interesting. ESM
MA12 …because I thought these tasks and assignments were exciting. ESM
MZ01_01 …because others think worse of me if I don't pursue the goal. Baseline
MZ01_02 …because I feel like I have to. Baseline
MZ01_03 …because other people expect me to do so. Baseline
MZ01_04 …I would feel guilty if I didn't pursue it. Baseline
MZ01_05 …because I want to prove to myself or others that I can achieve this goal. Baseline
MZ01_06 …because I would feel bad if I didn't do so. Baseline
MZ01_07 …because this goal is personally important to me. Baseline
MZ01_08 …because this goal means a lot to me. Baseline
MZ01_09 …because it is part of me and part of my identity. Baseline
MZ01_10 …because I enjoy it. Baseline
MZ01_11 …because I think it's interesting. Baseline
MZ01_12 …because I think it's exciting. Baseline
MZ02_01 …because others think worse of me if I don't pursue the goal. Baseline
MZ02_02 …because I feel like I have to. Baseline
MZ02_03 …because other people expect me to do so. Baseline
MZ02_04 …I would feel guilty if I didn't pursue it. Baseline
MZ02_05 …because I want to prove to myself or others that I can achieve this goal. Baseline
MZ02_06 …because I would feel bad if I didn't do so. Baseline
MZ02_07 …because this goal is personally important to me. Baseline
MZ02_08 …because this goal means a lot to me. Baseline
MZ02_09 …because it is part of me and part of my identity. Baseline
MZ02_10 …because I enjoy it. Baseline
MZ02_11 …because I think it's interesting. Baseline
MZ02_12 …because I think it's exciting. Baseline
MZ03_01 …because others think worse of me if I don't pursue the goal. Baseline
MZ03_02 …because I feel like I have to. Baseline
MZ03_03 …because other people expect me to do so. Baseline
MZ03_04 …I would feel guilty if I didn't pursue it. Baseline
MZ03_05 …because I want to prove to myself or others that I can achieve this goal. Baseline
MZ03_06 …because I would feel bad if I didn't do so. Baseline
MZ03_07 …because this goal is personally important to me. Baseline
MZ03_08 …because this goal means a lot to me. Baseline
MZ03_09 …because it is part of me and part of my identity. Baseline
MZ03_10 …because I enjoy it. Baseline
MZ03_11 …because I think it's interesting. Baseline
MZ03_12 …because I think it's exciting. Baseline
OK02 How did you become aware of our study? Baseline
PE01_01 ...is reserved. Baseline
PE01_02 ...tends to find fault with others. Baseline
PE01_03 ...does a thorough job. Baseline
PE01_04 ...is depressed, blue. Baseline
PE01_05 ...is curious about many different things. Baseline
PE01_06 ...generates a lot of enthusiasm. Baseline
PE01_07 ...is generally trusting. Baseline
PE01_08 ...tends to be lazy. Baseline
PE01_09 ...is relaxed, handles stress well. Baseline
PE01_10 ...is ingenious, a deep thinker. Baseline
PE01_11 ...tends to be quiet. Baseline
PE01_12 ...can be cold and aloof. Baseline
PE01_13 ...does things efficiently. Baseline
PE01_14 ...worries a lot. Baseline
PE01_15 ...has an active imagination. Baseline
PE01_16 ...is outgoing, sociable. Baseline
PE01_17 ...is sometimes rude to others. Baseline
PE01_18 ...makes plans and follows through with them. Baseline
PE01_19 ...gets nervous easily. Baseline
PE01_20 ...values artistic, aesthetic experiences. Baseline
PE01_21 ...has few artistic interests. Baseline
SA01_01 ...I feel... Baseline
SA01_02 ...same-sex friends... Baseline
SA01_03 ...opposite-sex peers... Baseline
SA02_01 ...I look... Baseline
SA03_01 ...interests and activities... Baseline
SA04_01 Compared to most people my age, most of the time I feel... ESM
SD01 What is your gender? Baseline
SD02_01 How old are you? I am... years old. Baseline
SD03 Please state your current relationship status. Baseline
SD04 Please state your current occupation. Baseline
SD05 Where were you born? Baseline
SD06 Which is your native language? Baseline
SD07 Were any of your grandparents born in another country than Germany and moved to Germany after 1950? Baseline
SD10 You stated that German was not your native language. How old were you when you started to learn German? Baseline
SD11 In which state is your university located? Baseline
SD13 In which semester are you currently studying? I am currently studying in... Baseline
Time_Local_Baseline Time at which participant completed baseline Baseline
Unnamed: 0 Rown number Global
VI01_01 I feel alive and vital ESM
VI01_02 Sometimes I feel so alive I just want to burst ESM
VI01_03 I have energy and spirit ESM
VI01_04 I look forward to each new day ESM
VI01_05 I nearly always feel alert and awake ESM
VI01_06 I feel energized. ESM
VI02_01 I feel alive and vital Baseline
VI02_02 Sometimes I feel so alive I just want to burst Baseline
VI02_03 I have energy and spirit Baseline
VI02_04 I look forward to each new day Baseline
VI02_05 I nearly always feel alert and awake Baseline
VI02_06 I feel energized. Baseline
WB01_01 ...happy. Baseline
WB01_02 ...afraid. Baseline
WB01_03 ...sad. Baseline
WB01_04 ...balanced. Baseline
WB01_05 ...cheerful. Baseline
WB01_06 ...worried. Baseline
WB01_07 ...angry. Baseline
WB01_08 ...relaxed. Baseline
WB02_01 …happy. ESM
WB02_02 ...afraid. ESM
WB02_03 ...sad. ESM
WB02_04 ...balanced. ESM
WB02_05 ...cheerful. ESM
WB02_06 ...worried. ESM
WB02_07 ...angry. ESM
WB02_08 ...relaxed. ESM
WB03_01 ...happy. ESM
WB03_02 ...afraid. ESM
WB03_03 ...sad. ESM
WB03_04 ...balanced. ESM
WB03_05 ...cheerful. ESM
WB03_06 ...worried. ESM
WB03_07 ...angry. ESM
WB03_08 ...relaxed. ESM
ZI01_01 Have you completed tasks and assignments for your goal x1? ESM
ZI01_02 Have you completed tasks and assignments for your goal x2? ESM
ZI01_03 Have you completed tasks and assignments for your goal x3? ESM
ZI02 You indicated that you have worked for more than one of your goals. Which goal did you work for the most? ESM
ZI03 You indicated that you have worked for more than one of your goals. Which goal did you work for the most? ESM
ZI05_01 I intend to work for my goal x1 tomorrow. ESM
ZI05_02 I intend to work for my goal x2 tomorrow. ESM
ZI05_03 I intend to work for my goal x3 tomorrow. ESM

Publications

Main Publication

Why we do what we do matters for how we feel: Links among autonomous goal regulation, need fulfillment, and well-being in daily life

Title:
Why we do what we do matters for how we feel: Links among autonomous goal regulation, need fulfillment, and well-being in daily life
Authors:
Sosin, A., Neubauer, A. B.
Year of publication:
2024
Publication name:
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
Volume number:
127
Issue number:
5
Page numbers:
1103–1125
DOI or URL:
https://doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000522
Publication type:
Refereed Journal Article

Additional publications