Linking goal progress to subjective well-being at work: the moderating role of goal-related self-efficacy and attainability.

Full Abstract

Although goal progress is often hypothesized to be positively linked to well-being, existing research points to an inconsistent relationship and suggests that potential moderators need to be examined. This longitudinal study investigated whether 2 aspects of goal cognition-goal attainability and self-efficacy-influence the relationship between goal progress and well-being (viz., job satisfaction and emotional exhaustion) in a sample of 172 nurses. Work goal progress was not directly associated with well-being. Rather, the link between goal progress and well-being was moderated by goal cognition. Individuals who started off with unfavorable goal cognitions but who managed to achieve goal progress reported an increase in well-being, compared with those who had favorable goal cognitions and similar rates of progress. Progress appears to have compensated for low initial goal cognition in the prediction of well-being, and high initial goal cognition appears to have undermined this predictive relationship. Also, goal progress was associated with an increase in self-efficacy and goal attainability from Time 1 to Time 2. Results are discussed in relation to goal theories and the concept of self-correcting goal cycles.

Author information

Author/s: Pomaki, Georgia (G); Karoly, Paul (P); Maes, Stan (S);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of British ColumbiaVancouver, British Columbia, Canada. gpomaki(-atsign-)psych.ubc.ca

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of occupational health psychology (J Occup Health Psychol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Apr; vol 14 (issue 2) : pp 206-18

Dates: Created 2009/03/31; Completed 2009/06/02;

PMID: 19331481, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 6/2/2009, IMS Date: 02 Jun 2009 00:00:00)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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