Why Do We Pursue the Personal Goals We Do? The Relationships Between Distinct Goal Motives and Subjective Well-being

Personal motives drive and energize goal behavior. However, the relationships between distinct goal motives and subjective well-being (SWB) are not well understood. This study aimed to investigate how distinct goal motives related to SWB in a cross-national study. The sample comprised 197 participants ( n = 95 Australians; n = 102 Singaporeans). Participants generated their two most important and meaningful idiographic goals that they were currently pursuing. They then completed an accompanying self-report goal motive questionnaire in relation to each listed personal goal, and a measure of SWB. Regression and moderation analyses were conducted. As predicted, relational autonomous motives were significantly positively associated with SWB, while controlled motives were significantly negatively associated with SWB, for all participants. Contrary to prediction, a positive relationship between personal autonomous motives and SWB was only partially supported, with a significant positive association found for Singaporeans, but not for Australians. Overall, findings support the theory that distinct goal motives are differentially related to SWB, irrespective of nationality. Longitudinal studies tracking goals and SWB over time now warrant investigation.