Frustration of life goals mediates the negative effect of unemployment on subjective well-being

Paul KI, Vastamäki J, Moser K (2016)


Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2016

Journal

Book Volume: 17

Pages Range: 447-462

Journal Issue: 2

DOI: 10.1007/s10902-014-9603-7

Abstract

The present study investigated whether unemployment influences the importance and the realization of life goals and whether a reduced realization of life goals mediates the negative effect of unemployment on subjective well-being. A sample of 256 employed and unemployed German adults was studied with scales measuring six different life goal domains (power, achievement, variety, altruism, intimacy, affiliation). Only weak differences between unemployed and employed people were found for importance ratings of life goals. However, current realization of life goals, particularly of agency goals such as power, achievement and variety, was significantly lower among unemployed persons than among employed persons. Thus, unemployment did not change the goals people wanted to achieve in their lifetime, but it inhibited the success of these strivings. Furthermore, current realization of life goals was found to be a mediator of the detrimental effect of unemployment on life satisfaction and positive/negative affect.

Authors with CRIS profile

Additional Organisation(s)

Related research project(s)

How to cite

APA:

Paul, K.I., Vastamäki, J., & Moser, K. (2016). Frustration of life goals mediates the negative effect of unemployment on subjective well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 17(2), 447-462. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10902-014-9603-7

MLA:

Paul, Karsten Ingmar, Jaana Vastamäki, and Klaus Moser. "Frustration of life goals mediates the negative effect of unemployment on subjective well-being." Journal of Happiness Studies 17.2 (2016): 447-462.

BibTeX: Download