Work

Hope for the best or prepare for the worst? Calm perseverance, not vigilant monitoring, contributes to adolescent life satisfaction

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Which kind of self-regulatory strategies contribute to life satisfaction in adolescence? MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present research, we tested two competing hypotheses arguing that either a strategy of vigilant monitoring of opportunities for working towards goal achievement or a calm perseverance strategy steadily working towards goals in a slower pace would promote life satisfaction in a large and diverse sample of adolescents. We also tested whether the employment of these strategies would hinge on perceptions of goal importance and goal attainability. RESULTS: Employing a longitudinal design, we found support that calm perseverance was the sole significant predictor of life satisfaction regardless of goal perceptions. Vigilant monitoring only contributed indirectly to life satisfaction through its positive effects on calm perseverance. Using a calm perseverance strategy was supported by perceiving one's goals as attainable. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These findings bear important implications for self-regulation theory that has highlighted goal progress as a prerequisite for well-being.

Source: Psychology and Health

DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2024.2390645

Authors: Denise de Ridder, Laura Weiss, Marleen Gillebaart, Jeroen Benjamins, Jan Fekke Ybema

Institution: Utrecht University

Language: English

Topic: Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: ZonMw