Importance of different developmental goals in adolescence, middle aged and older adults

Abstract

The investigation covered 420 adult subjects who, heedful of their age, were sorted into three groups: 148 subjects aged 18 to 25 years, 130 subjects aged 39 to 47 years, and 120 subjects aged 59 to 65 years. The results showed that developmental goals could be interpreted according to four factor structure. These factors could be interpreted as the importance of physical health goals, the importance of material security goals, the importance of goals of knowledge and competence, and finally, the importance of socioemotional goals. The goals of material security, as well as the goals of physical health could be treated as universal in different age groups. It could be an indication that these goals are based in stable motivational dispositions (primary needs). The width of Socioemotional goals and Goals of knowledge and competence are more age dependent and vary among different age groups. Younger people find goals of knowledge and competence as well as goals of physical health, more important than the middle aged and older people. Some age specific goals are more important to women (goals of physical health and socioemotional goals). Results are discussed in the light of Levinson’s theoretical insights about development in adulthood.