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Cross-lagged relationships between person-based resources, self-perceptions, and career and life satisfaction in young adults

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Abstract

We tested the across-time relationships between the person-based resources of assimilation (or goal pursuit) and accommodation (or goal adjustment) and two well-being outcomes (satisfaction with career progress and life satisfaction), and assessed if these relationships were mediated by self-perceptions (perceived goal attainability and optimism). Participants were 204 young adults (79 % female; M age 26 years), who were surveyed twice, 6 months apart. Consistent with the dual-process framework for goal management, assimilation was associated with more positive self-perceptions (attainability and optimism) and higher subsequent satisfaction with career progress and life satisfaction. Perceived goal attainability mediated between assimilation and the two satisfaction outcomes. Accommodation was associated with higher subsequent life satisfaction only. Thus, both assimilation and accommodation were related to better life satisfaction in young adults, but assimilation was more adaptive in the career domain.

Résumé

Relations longitudinales transversales décalées entre ressources internes, perceptions de soi et satisfaction de vie et de carrière chez les jeunes adultes. Nous avons testé à travers le temps les relations entre les ressources internes d’assimilation (poursuite de l’objectif) et d’accommodation (ajustement à l’objectif) et le bien-être, et avons évalué si ces relations étaient médiatisées par l’accessibilité de l’objectif et l’optimisme. Des jeunes adultes (N = 204; 79 % de femmes; M âge = 26 ans) ont été interrogés deux fois, à 6 mois d’intervalle. L’assimilation était associée à une plus grande accessibilité perçue de l’objectif et à un plus haut niveau d’optimisme, ainsi qu’à un plus grand bien-être ultérieur (l’accessibilité était un médiateur du lien entre l’assimilation et le bien-être). L’accommodation était associée à un plus grand bien-être ultérieur. Les résultats soutiennent le cadre d’un processus dual, bien que l’assimilation ait été plus adaptative dans le domaine de la carrière.

Zusammenfassung

Zeitversetzte Zusammenhänge zwischen personenbasierten Ressourcen, Selbstwahrnehmung und Karriere- und Lebenszufriedenheit bei jungen Erwachsenen. Wir haben die längsschnittlichen Beziehungen zwischen den personenbasierten Ressourcen von Assimilation (Zielverfolgung) und Akkommodation (Zielanpassung) und Wohlbefinden untersucht, und überprüften, ob diese Beziehungen durch Zielerreichbarkeit und Optimismus vermittelt wurden. Junge Erwachsene (N = 204; 79 % weiblich; M Alter = 26 Jahre) wurden zweimal mit einem Abstand von 6 Monaten befragt. Assimilation wurde mit einer höher wahrgenommenen Zielrreichbarkeit, Optimismus und anschließend höherem Wohlbefinden assoziiert (Erreichbarkeit vermittelt zwischen Assimilation und Wohlbefinden). Akkommodation wurde anschließend mit höherem Wohlbefinden assoziiert. Die Ergebnisse unterstützen duale Prozessmodelle, obwohl Assimilation adaptiver im Karrierebereich war.

Resumen

Relaciones cruzadas entre los recursos personales, las autopercepciones y la satisfacción en la carrera y en la vida en jóvenes adultos. Se ha comprobado las relaciones en el tiempo entre los recursos personales de asimilación (persecución de la meta) y acomodación (ajuste de metas) y bienestar, y se ha valorado si estas relaciones estaban mediadas por la accesibilidad a la meta y el optimismo. Una muestra de jóvenes adultas (N = 204; 79 % mujeres, Medad 26 años) fueron estudiadas en dos ocasiones con una diferencia de 6 meses. La asimilación estaba asociada con una mayor percepción de accesibilidad a la meta y optimismo y subsecuentemente con el bienestar (la accesibilidad mediaba entre la asimilación y el bienestar). La acomodación fue asociada con un subsecuente mayor bienestar. Los resultados mostraron un marco dual de procesos aunque la asimilación fue más adaptativa en el ámbito de la carrera.

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  1. School of Applied Psychology and Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, PMB 50 Gold Coast Mail Centre, Gold Coast, QLD, 9726, Australia

    Jessica M. Haratsis, Peter A. Creed & Michelle Hood

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  1. Jessica M. Haratsis
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Haratsis, J.M., Creed, P.A. & Hood, M. Cross-lagged relationships between person-based resources, self-perceptions, and career and life satisfaction in young adults. Int J Educ Vocat Guidance 16, 169–188 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-015-9301-y

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