A meta-analysis of the dark side of the American dream : Evidence for the universal wellness costs of prioritizing extrinsic over intrinsic goals
Journal article
Bradshaw, Emma L., Conigrave, James H., Steward, Ben A., Ferber, Kelly A., Parker, Philip D. and Ryan, Richard M.. (2023). A meta-analysis of the dark side of the American dream : Evidence for the universal wellness costs of prioritizing extrinsic over intrinsic goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 124(4), pp. 873-899. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000431
Authors | Bradshaw, Emma L., Conigrave, James H., Steward, Ben A., Ferber, Kelly A., Parker, Philip D. and Ryan, Richard M. |
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Abstract | Self-determination theory holds that the intrinsic and extrinsic content of people’s aspirations differentially affect their wellness. An evidence base spanning nearly 30 years indicates that focusing on intrinsic goals (such as for growth, relationships, community giving, and health) promotes well-being, whereas a focus on extrinsic goals (such as for wealth, fame, and beauty) deters well-being. Yet, the evidence base contains exceptions, and some authors have argued that focusing on extrinsic goals may not be universally detrimental. We conducted a systematic review and used multilevel meta-analytic structural equation modeling to evaluate the links between intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations with indices of well-being and ill-being. Across 92 reports (105 studies), 1,808 effects, and a total sample of N = 70,110, we found that intrinsic aspirations were linked positively with well-being, r = 0.24 [95% CI 0.22, 0.27], and negatively with ill-being, r = −0.11 [−0.14, −0.08]. When the variety of extrinsic aspiration scoring methods were combined, the link with well-being was not statistically significant, r = 0.02 [−0.02, 0.06]. However, when extrinsic aspirations were evaluated in terms of their predominance in the overall pattern of aspiring the effect was universally detrimental, linking negatively to well-being, r = −0.22 [−0.32, −0.11], and positively to ill-being, r = 0.23 [0.17, 0.30]. Meta-analytic conclusions about the associations between goal types and wellness are important because they inform how individuals could shape aspirations to support their own happiness and how groups and institutions can frame goals such that their pursuit is for the common good. |
Keywords | strivings; autonomy; life satisfaction; resolutions; flourishing |
Year | 2023 |
Journal | Journal of Personality and Social Psychology |
Journal citation | 124 (4), pp. 873-899 |
Publisher | American Psychological Association |
ISSN | 0022-3514 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000431 |
PubMed ID | 35951379 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85136574417 |
Page range | 873-899 |
Funder | Research Training Program Scholarship (RTP), Australian Government |
Publisher's version | License All rights reserved File Access Level Controlled |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 11 Aug 2022 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 06 Jun 2022 |
Deposited | 23 Mar 2023 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8yy0x/a-meta-analysis-of-the-dark-side-of-the-american-dream-evidence-for-the-universal-wellness-costs-of-prioritizing-extrinsic-over-intrinsic-goals
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