TY - JOUR
T1 - Collegiate purpose orientations and well-being in early and middle adulthood
AU - Hill, Patrick L.
AU - Burrow, Anthony L.
AU - Brandenberger, Jay W.
AU - Lapsley, Daniel K.
AU - Quaranto, Jessica Collado
PY - 2010/3
Y1 - 2010/3
N2 - Two studies evaluated whether different purpose orientations, defined by the content of one's life-goals, would differentially predict personal well-being in the short- and long-term. Four types of purpose orientations (creative, prosocial, financial, and personal recognition) were examined using a sample of 416 (57% male) college undergraduates tested as seniors and again thirteen years after graduation. At senior year, all four purpose orientations were correlated with perceived personal development during college, measured using Higher Education Research Institute surveys. However, at middle adulthood, only the prosocial purpose orientation was predictive of greater generativity, personal growth, and integrity. These studies point to the benefits of having goals focused on helping others rather than helping oneself.
AB - Two studies evaluated whether different purpose orientations, defined by the content of one's life-goals, would differentially predict personal well-being in the short- and long-term. Four types of purpose orientations (creative, prosocial, financial, and personal recognition) were examined using a sample of 416 (57% male) college undergraduates tested as seniors and again thirteen years after graduation. At senior year, all four purpose orientations were correlated with perceived personal development during college, measured using Higher Education Research Institute surveys. However, at middle adulthood, only the prosocial purpose orientation was predictive of greater generativity, personal growth, and integrity. These studies point to the benefits of having goals focused on helping others rather than helping oneself.
KW - Adult development
KW - Goal-setting
KW - Longitudinal analyses
KW - Prosocial development
KW - Psychological well-being
KW - Purpose in life
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/77049104020
U2 - 10.1016/j.appdev.2009.12.001
DO - 10.1016/j.appdev.2009.12.001
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:77049104020
SN - 0193-3973
VL - 31
SP - 173
EP - 179
JO - Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology
JF - Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology
IS - 2
ER -