Ebner Natalie C, Freund Alexandra M, Baltes Paul B
Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany.
Psychol Aging. 2006 Dec;21(4):664-78. doi: 10.1037/0882-7974.21.4.664.
Using a multimethod approach, the authors conducted 4 studies to test life span hypotheses about goal orientations across adulthood. Confirming expectations, in Studies 1 and 2 younger adults reported a primary growth orientation in their goals, whereas older adults reported a stronger orientation toward maintenance and loss prevention. Orientation toward prevention of loss correlated negatively with well-being in younger adults. In older adults, orientation toward maintenance was positively associated with well-being. Studies 3 and 4 extend findings of a self-reported shift in goal orientation to the level of behavioral choice involving cognitive and physical fitness goals. Studies 3 and 4 also examine the role of expected resource demands. The shift in goal orientation is discussed as an adaptive mechanism to manage changing opportunities and constraints across adulthood.
作者采用多方法研究路径开展了4项研究，以检验有关成年期目标导向的寿命假设。正如预期的那样，在研究1和研究2中，较年轻的成年人表示其目标主要是成长导向，而较年长的成年人则表示更倾向于维持和预防损失。预防损失的导向与较年轻成年人的幸福感呈负相关。在较年长的成年人中，维持导向与幸福感呈正相关。研究3和研究4将自我报告的目标导向转变的研究结果扩展到涉及认知和身体健康目标的行为选择层面。研究3和研究4还考察了预期资源需求的作用。目标导向的转变被视为一种适应性机制，用于应对成年期不断变化的机会和限制。
