scholarly journals Understanding Ordinary Goal Pursuit: Describing and Predicting Success in New Year’s Resolutions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Moshontz
Keyword(s):  
Daily Life ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Goal Pursuit ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Laboratory Research ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Predicting Success ◽  
Subjective Success

People’s success in achieving their goals can have profound consequences for their subjective and objective well-being. Hundreds of research studies identify factors associated with success in goal pursuit, but little is known about the occurrence and influence of these factors in daily life. This dissertation aims to complement and build on extant, mostly laboratory, research by characterizing ordinary goal pursuit and identifying factors that meaningfully affect it in the context of daily life. The first chapter offers background: a review of prior research, a discussion of potential limitations on the replicability and generalizability of prior research, and an argument for more robust, naturalistic, and descriptive work. The chapters that follow present prospective observational studies focused on pursuit of New Year’s resolutions and used to address eight research questions pertaining to the content and framing of goals people pursue, the outcomes of goal pursuit, and the potentially mutable factors associated with goal achievement. The second chapter presents Study 1, a descriptive study focused on understanding what goals people set as resolutions and the typical process and outcome of pursuit. The third chapter presents Study 2, a study focused on assessing the predictive value of goal-varying factors. Goals varied greatly in their content, properties, and outcomes. Contrary to theory, many resolutions were neither successful nor unsuccessful, but instead were still being pursued or were on hold at the end of the year. Across both studies, the three most common resolution outcomes at the end of the year were achievement (estimates ranged from 20% to 40%), continued pursuit (32% to 60%) and pursuit put on hold (15% to 21%). Other outcomes (e.g., deliberate disengagement) were rare (<1% to 3%). Motivation and habit formation were associated with subjective success consistently, over and above trait self-control, but no other goal-varying properties showed robust associations with goal outcomes. Predictive models suggest that relatively little variance in goal outcomes can be meaningfully predicted by goal-varying properties, and that linear regression models are particularly bad at predicting goal outcomes. This dissertation demonstrates the value of naturalistic, descriptive, and prediction-focused work for advancing understanding of self-regulation.

Beyond Self-Control: Mechanisms of Hedonic Goal Pursuit and Its Relevance for Well-Being

2020 ◽  
pp. 014616722094199
Author(s):  
Katharina Bernecker ◽  
Daniela Becker
Keyword(s):  
Everyday Life ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Intrusive Thoughts ◽  
Goal Pursuit ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Hedonic Capacity

Self-control helps to align behavior with long-term goals (e.g., exercising to stay fit) and shield it from conflicting hedonic goals (e.g., relaxing). Decades of research have shown that self-control is associated with numerous positive outcomes, such as well-being. In the present article, we argue that hedonic goal pursuit is equally important for well-being, and that conflicting long-term goals can undermine it in the form of intrusive thoughts. In Study 1, we developed a measure of trait hedonic capacity, which captures people’s success in hedonic goal pursuit and the occurrence of intrusive thoughts. In Studies 2A and 2B, people’s trait hedonic capacity relates positively to well-being. Study 3 confirms intrusive thoughts as major impeding mechanism of hedonic success. Studies 4 and 5 demonstrate that trait hedonic capacity predicts successful hedonic goal pursuit in everyday life. We conclude that hedonic goal pursuit represents a largely neglected but adaptive aspect of self-regulation.

scholarly journals Differential changes in self-reported aspects of interoceptive awareness through 3 months of contemplative training

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris Bornemann ◽  
Beate M. Herbert ◽  
Tania Singer
Keyword(s):  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Body Awareness ◽  
The Body ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Interoceptive Awareness ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Convergent And Discriminant Validity

Interoceptive body awareness (IA) is crucial for psychological well-being and plays an important role in many contemplative traditions. However, until recently, standardized self-report measures of IA were scarce, not comprehensive, and the effects of interoceptive training on such measures were largely unknown. The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) questionnaire measures IA with eight different scales. In the current study, we investigated whether and how these different aspects of IA are influenced by a 3-months contemplative intervention in the context of the ReSource project, in which 148 subjects engaged in daily practices of “Body Scan” and “Breath Meditation.” We developed a German version of the MAIA and tested it in a large and diverse sample (n = 1,076). Internal consistencies were similar to the English version (0.56– 0.89), retest reliability was high (r s: 0.66–0.79), and the MAIA showed good convergent and discriminant validity. Importantly, interoceptive training improved five out of eight aspects of IA, compared to a retest control group. Participants with low IA scores at baseline showed the biggest changes. Whereas practice duration only weakly predicted individual differences in change, self-reported liking of the practices and degree of integration into daily life predicted changes on most scales. Interestingly, the magnitude of observed changes varied across scales. The strongest changes were observed for the regulatory aspects of IA, that is, how the body is used for self-regulation in daily life. No significant changes were observed for the Noticing aspect (becoming aware of bodily changes), which is the aspect that is predominantly assessed in other IA measures. This differential pattern underscores the importance to assess IA multi-dimensionally, particularly when interested in enhancement of IA through contemplative practice or other mind–body interventions.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Autogenic Training in Gerontopsychology

1996 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 243-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Günter Krampen
Keyword(s):  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Developmental Psychology ◽  
Action Theory ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Personal Control ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Autogenic Training ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Long Term Effects

This paper presents the results of two studies on the promotion of personal self-regulation of development, personal control over development and development-related emotions as well as generalized locus of control and psychosomatic well-being in the elderly using autogenic training (AT), a psychophysiological self-control method using self-inductions of physical and mental relaxation. Subjects were 120 adults aged 66-80 years. Study I had a randomized cross-over design with a waiting list group; Study II had a randomized cross-over design comparing the effects of introductory courses on autogenic training and of a general health education program. Each program phase continued for 8 weeks, with one small group meeting per week. Tests were conducted in both studies before program start, during mid-program, after total program, and 6 months after the end of the program. Data were gathered on development-related emotions, personal control over development, personal self-regulation of development, psychosomatic complaints, and generalized locus of control. The results point towards short-term as well as long-term effects of autogenic training on these variables. Possible applications of autogenic training in gerontopsychology are discussed as well as its role in developmental intervention and its references to the action-theory oriented perspective in developmental psychology.

Interpersonal Influences on Self-Regulation

2010 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gráinne M. Fitzsimons ◽  
Eli J. Finkel
Keyword(s):  
Self Regulation ◽  
Goal Pursuit ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Interpersonal Processes ◽  
Goal Progress ◽  
The Social ◽  
Current Article ◽  
Goal Pursuits ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
The Impact

Since the 1960s, personality and social psychologists have taken major strides toward understanding the intrapersonal processes that promote successful self-regulation. The current article reviews insights into the understanding of self-regulation gained by examining the impact of interpersonal processes on the initiation, operation, and monitoring of goals. We review research suggesting that other people can act as triggers of goals, causing people to unconsciously initiate new goal pursuits; that interpersonal interactions can tap self-control, leaving people with depleted resources for goal pursuit; that relationship partners can support goal operation, leading to more effective goal pursuit; and that the social environment can facilitate effective monitoring of one’s extant goal progress and likelihood of future goal achievement.

scholarly journals ASSESSMENT OF SELF-REGULATORY BEHAVIOR OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN EXTREME SITUATIONS: A SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-107
Author(s):  
Vladislav Dubrovsky ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Law Enforcement Officers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Research Problem ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Regulatory Behavior ◽  
Behavior Of Law ◽  
General Physical

The relevance of the research lies in the need to develop self-regulation skills in law enforcement officers, since this category of employees often performs professional functions in extreme situations, including anti-pandemic measures. The research problem is the contradiction between the increase in physical, intellectual and emotional stress experienced by law enforcement officers in extreme professional situations, on the one hand, and the need for an objective assessment and self-regulatory behavior, on the other. The purpose of the study is to examine the sociological specifics of assessing self-regulatory behavior of law enforcement officers in extreme situations. The article includes the results of an empirical study conducted in 2020-2021 in the Belgorod region, which was attended by current law enforcement officers (n = 134) undergoing advanced training. The following methods were used: a questionnaire survey and a formative experiment were used to collect data; computer analysis of the Excel package and comparative analysis were used to process and analyze the obtained materials. The results of the study showed that mastering self-regulation skills allowed law enforcement officers to understand better the causes of stress, taught them self-control, and improved the quality of communication with colleagues and immediate supervisors. In addition, it was concluded that such indicators as general physical well-being, a decrease in the level of anxiety, irritability and aggression improved.

scholarly journals Psychological self-regulation as factor of success in the management of own behavior in different life domains

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 148-163
Author(s):  
E.I. Rasskazova
Keyword(s):  
Emotional State ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Stage Of Change ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Life Domain ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Goal Disengagement ◽  
Subjective Success ◽  
Regulation Of Activity ◽  
High Level

Paper is devoted to psychological self-regulation at different stages of behavior change, according to the trans-theoretical model. It was assumed that psychological factors of self-regulation are differently related to the subjective success of achieving goals, depending on the life domain and the stage of change. 127 students set goals for the next 2.5 months (study / work, communication, hobbies, health), evaluated them on the Likert scale, filled the Volitional Components Inventory, Goal Disengagement and Reengagement Scale, and a number of methods for psychological well-being. In the domains of study, communication and health, a high level of self-regulation and volitional abilities was typical for pre-contemplation and action stages, and the high cognitive control was found for the pre-contemplation and preparation stages. Satisfaction and emotional state were not associated with the desire for change. In the domain of study subjective success after 2.5 months was associated with the ability to concentrate and disengage the goal, and in the domains of communication and health — with self-determination and self-motivation. The results indicate the importance of taking into account the life domain and stage of change in studies of the psychological regulation of activity.

The Long Reach of Self-Control

2020 ◽  
pp. 17-46
Author(s):  
Roy F. Baumeister ◽  
Andrew J. Vonasch ◽  
Hallgeir Sjåstad
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Ego Depletion ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Psychological Processes ◽  
Physical Energy ◽  
Making Choices

Abundant evidence suggests that people exert self-control as if the exertions consumed a limited energy resource, akin to the folk notion of willpower. After exerting self-control, subsequent efforts at self-control are often relatively feeble and unsuccessful. The state of low willpower is called ego depletion. Studies on ego depletion have shown effects on intelligent thought (which is impaired during ego depletion), decision-making (depleted persons shift to more superficial ways of choosing, or prefer to avoid making choices), and passivity (depleted people become more passive). The psychological processes of self-regulation and ego depletion are linked to physical energy, as indicated by evidence that hunger makes people more short-sighted, and that food intake tends to counteract ego depletion. Depletion increases in response to interpersonal conflict, poor sleep, and confronting uncertainty. In daily life, good self-control is linked to avoiding problems and temptations, low stress, and higher happiness.

scholarly journals Parent-led strategies supporting personal well-being when caring for a child with a life-limiting condition: A scoping review

2021 ◽  
pp. 136749352110261
Author(s):  
Sarah Oakley ◽  
Helena Dunbar ◽  
Kay de Vries
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Empirical Evaluation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Pertinent Data ◽  
Management Techniques ◽  
Limiting Condition ◽  
The Impact

The objectives of this review were to identify strategies initiated by parents of children with life-limiting conditions to support their own well-being at home and to describe the impact of these strategies on parental well-being. A systematic scoping review was performed using PRISMA-ScR guidelines, identifying 15 relevant studies that fit the inclusion and exclusion criteria. There were no studies that specifically assessed how parents support their own well-being; however, the 15 identified studies did provide pertinent data secondary to the primary aims of each study. This resulted in the identification of 14 parent-initiated strategies which were grouped thematically into 4 categories: (i) social experience and peer support, (ii) information and management techniques, (iii) reframed perspectives and (iv) prioritising own needs. Overall, there was some evidence of parents initiating specific, individualised and useful strategies to supporting their well-being. Notably lacking was any empirical evaluation as to the effectiveness of these strategies and the wider factors associated with them. Further research is required to assess how parents support their personal well-being in daily life and how these strategies can be implemented alongside service-initiated support to ensure full parental well-being.

scholarly journals Short-term effects of an online mindfulness meditation intervention

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-62
Author(s):  
E.N. Osin ◽  
I.I. Turilina
Keyword(s):  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Online Intervention ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Group Design ◽  
Wait List Control ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
Post Test

The paper presents the results of a validation of an online intervention comprising a three-week course in mindfulness meditation with daily guided meditation sessions. The study used a randomised wait-list control group design with a pre-test and a post-test. Dependent variables included indicators of emotional and psychological well-being, reflective processes, self-control and self-regulation. Participants were anonymous volunteers recruited via social networks (N = 206; with N = 56 in the experimental group and N = 44 in the control group after dropout). The results indicate that taking part in a mindfulness meditation intervention is associated with higher emotional well-being, reduction of non-productive reflection (rumination), development of self-determination, self-motivation, self-relaxation, cognitive self-control and activity concentration skills. At the same time, participants who dropped out had different self-control and affective self-control scores at pre-test. The findings indicate that regular mindfulness meditation sessions as part of an online intervention develop self-regulation skills in individuals whose self-control is sufficiently high in order to adhere to a regular meditation schedule.

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