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Pursuing avoidance goals, rather than approach goals, is linked to lower subjective well-being (SWB). Neuroticism and low life skills predict adopting these detrimental avoidance goals.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Personality Psychology
  • Well-being Research

Background:

  • Personal goals significantly influence psychological outcomes.
  • Understanding the distinction between approach and avoidance goals is crucial for well-being.
  • Previous research has not fully elucidated the semester-long dynamics of avoidance goal pursuit.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the antecedents of adopting avoidance personal goals.
  • To examine the consequences of pursuing avoidance goals on subjective well-being (SWB) over a semester.
  • To identify mediating factors in the relationship between avoidance goals and SWB.

Main Methods:

  • Two studies were conducted over a semester-long period.
  • Study 1 examined the relationship between neuroticism and avoidance strivings.
  • Study 2 explored the link between perceived life skills and avoidance projects, with subsequent SWB assessments.

Main Results:

  • Neuroticism positively predicted the adoption of avoidance personal strivings.
  • Low perceptions of life skills were associated with adopting avoidance personal projects.
  • A higher proportion of avoidance goals correlated with lower retrospective and longitudinal SWB.
  • Perceived progress mediated the negative impact of avoidance goals on SWB.

Conclusions:

  • Adopting avoidance goals has detrimental effects on subjective well-being.
  • Personality traits (neuroticism) and self-perceptions (life skills) are key antecedents to avoidance goal pursuit.
  • Interventions focusing on perceived progress may mitigate the negative impact of avoidance goals on well-being.