Emerging adults' goal pursuit

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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