Psychological Development and Education ›› 2018, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (6): 750-757.doi: 10.16187/j.cnki.issn1001-4918.2018.06.14

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The Effects of Tenacious Goal Pursuit and Flexible Goal Adjustment on Well-being among Elderly Couples: Based on the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model

ZHANG Jinfeng, WANG Yan   

  1. School of Public Affairs, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044
  • Published:2018-12-27

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Abstract: This study aimed to examine the actor and partner effects of goal regulation strategies on well-being among elderly couples. A total of 258 elderly couples in Beijing completed measures of tenacious goal pursuit, flexible goal adjustment, and well-being. The results showed that (1) the dyad had significant congruence in tenacious goal pursuit, flexible goal adjustment, and well-being, respectively; (2) tenacious goal pursuit and flexible goal adjustment had significant actor effects on well-being within the dyad; (3) husband's tenacious goal pursuit had a significant partner effect on wife's well-being, while wife's tenacious goal pursuit did not show a significant partner effect on husband's well-being; flexible goal adjustment had significant partner effects on well-being within the dyad; (4) for husband's well-being, the actor and partner effects of flexible goal adjustment were stronger than that of tenacious goal pursuit, whereas for wife's well-being, the actor and partner effects of the two goal regulation strategies were not significantly different. These results indicated that tenacious goal pursuit and flexible goal adjustment played different roles in elderly couples' well-being.

Key words: tenacious goal pursuit, flexible goal adjustment, well-being, older adults, actor-partner interdependence model

CLC Number: 

  • B844
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