The impact of goal self-concordance on emotion regulation during academic goal pursuit: A multilevel latent profile analysis approach

Goal pursuit is a key aspect of students’ life. Research shows self-concordant goals predict the type of emotion regulation strategies during academic goal striving, influencing goal outcomes. However, recent studies using multilevel latent profile analysis (ML-LPA) suggest considering the degree and consistency of emotion regulation strategy use alongside type. This study examined how self-concordant goals affect the type, degree, and consistency of emotion regulation efforts in pursuing academic goals. Using ML-LPA, we identified profiles encompassing these dimensions and explored the role of emotion regulation profile membership as mediator of goal self-concordance and goal pursuit outcomes. The study was based on the self-concordance model (Sheldon, 2014) and Bonanno and Burton's (2013) framework for emotion regulation flexibility. The sample consisted of 366 undergraduates (77 % female, M age = 20.04, SD = 1.49). In a daily diary study, participants reported on an academic goal and its self-concordance each morning. In the evening, they reported on emotion regulation strategies for negative goal-related emotions and goal pursuit outcomes. Four day-level and five person-level profiles were identified. Goal self-concordance predicted optimal outcomes through increased membership likelihood in adaptive emotion regulation profiles—characterized by engagement-type strategies and an average degree of emotion regulation implementation—and through reduced membership likelihood in maladaptive profiles, typified by low degree of emotion regulation implementation and inconsistent strategy use. This study expands our knowledge of the processes underlying academic goal pursuit, by clarifying the emotion regulation processes mediating the relationship between goal motivation and outcomes. • A multilevel LPA was used to study daily ER in academic goal pursuit. • ER profiles vary in type, degree, and consistency during goal pursuit. • Self-concordant goals predict ER profile membership. • ER profiles mediated the link of goal self-concordance with goal outcomes.