Goal Engagement: Combinatorial Structure and Measurement Method

The article discusses the problem of measuring indicators related to personal goals. Various positive effects of goals for well-being, self-regulation and personality development have been widely proved in psychological science. We propose a generalization of different measurements in the form of an independent scale of emotional-volitional goal engagement, complementing the existing concepts. Goal engagement allows the assessment of several additional characteristics related to the goal itself, not just personality disposition. Two population samples confirmed the structural and convergent validity of the methodology and conducted cross-validation using a different diagnostic item. In one quasi-experimental study (n = 118), respondents wrote down their own goals; in the other (n = 162) they were given a list of internal and external aspirations to assess their own engagement. The work of meaning as the second component in the structure of engagement is shown preliminarily. The relationships of emotional and volitional attributes of engagement changed depending on the aspiration. Cronbach's α scale reliability was 0.91 for the goal level and 0.85 for the respondent level (7-goal index). Engagement shows moderate relationships with the Process and Goals scales of the NOT test, Commitment and Control scales of the Hardiness Test, and both types of vitality. Engagement is most strongly related to intrinsic motivation toward a goal, there is no relationship with external motivation. Significant relationships of goal engagement with such positive characteristics as: hedonic and eudaemonic motives, hopes and fears in the future, positive affect, and life satisfaction were also found. The relationship is stronger for engagement in intrinsic aspirations compared to extrinsic. The results obtained are evidence of the construct validity of the measurement, which is suggested for use in studies of personality psychology and goal motivation.