TY - JOUR
T1 - Perceived support for promotion-focused and prevention-focused goals
T2 - Associations with well-being in unmarried and married couples: Research report
AU - Molden, Daniel C.
AU - Lucas, Gale M.
AU - Finkel, Eli J.
AU - Kumashiro, Madoka
AU - Rusbult, Caryl
PY - 2009/7
Y1 - 2009/7
N2 - Perceived emotional support from close relationship partners in times of stress is a major predictor of well-being. However, recent research has suggested that, beyond emotional support, perceived support for achieving personal goals is also important for well-being. The present study extends such research by demonstrating that associations of perceived goal support with well-being differ depending on how people represent their goals and the general motivational context in which they pursue these goals. Among unmarried romantic partners, for whom the context of the relationship presumably is largely attainment oriented, perceived support for attainment-relevant (or promotion-focused) goals independently predicted relationship and personal well-being, whereas perceived support for maintenance-relevant (or prevention-focused) goals did not. In contrast, among married partners, for whom the context of the relationship presumably is both attainment and maintenance oriented, perceived support for both promotion-focused and prevention-focused goals independently predicted well-being. We discuss the implications for forecasting and improving well-being among married couples.
AB - Perceived emotional support from close relationship partners in times of stress is a major predictor of well-being. However, recent research has suggested that, beyond emotional support, perceived support for achieving personal goals is also important for well-being. The present study extends such research by demonstrating that associations of perceived goal support with well-being differ depending on how people represent their goals and the general motivational context in which they pursue these goals. Among unmarried romantic partners, for whom the context of the relationship presumably is largely attainment oriented, perceived support for attainment-relevant (or promotion-focused) goals independently predicted relationship and personal well-being, whereas perceived support for maintenance-relevant (or prevention-focused) goals did not. In contrast, among married partners, for whom the context of the relationship presumably is both attainment and maintenance oriented, perceived support for both promotion-focused and prevention-focused goals independently predicted well-being. We discuss the implications for forecasting and improving well-being among married couples.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=67650466011&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2009.02362.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2009.02362.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 19470126
AN - SCOPUS:67650466011
SN - 0956-7976
VL - 20
SP - 787
EP - 793
JO - Psychological Science
JF - Psychological Science
IS - 7
ER -