Goal conflict and psychological well-being: a meta-analysis.

Gray, Jacob S.; Ozer, Daniel J.; Rosenthal, Robert

doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2016.12.003

Cited by 103Psychological Well-being and Life SatisfactionEducation, Achievement, and GiftednessHuman Behavior and Motivation

Goal conflict and psychological well-being: a meta-analysis.

Gray, Jacob S., Ozer, Daniel J., Rosenthal, Robert·2017·Journal of Research in Personality

DOI 10.1016/j.jrp.2016.12.003

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If goal conflict remains unresolved, the individual is unable to achieve control over either goal, which may lead to ongoing psychological distress.
“As a result, this conflict can remain unresolved and consequently, the individual is unable to achieve control over either goal, which may lead to ongoing psychological distress (Powers, 1973; Kelly et al., 2011b, 2015; Gray et al., 2017).”
From The Psychological Pathway to Suicide Attempts: A Strategy of Control Without Awareness (2021) · cites this paper as Gray et al., 2017
There is evidence that goal conflict underlies psychological distress and reduced wellbeing.
“Indeed, there is evidence that goal conflict underlies psychological distress and reduced wellbeing (Kelly et al., 2011a, 2015; Gray et al., 2017).”
From The Psychological Pathway to Suicide Attempts: A Strategy of Control Without Awareness (2021) · cites this paper as Gray et al., 2017

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Work and the good life: How work contributes to meaning in life
Ward, S. J., & King, L. A. (2017) · Research in Organizational Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.riob.2017.10.001 · Cited by 158 · see citing works
The nonlinear effect of effectuation and causation on new venture performance: The moderating effect of environmental uncertainty
Peng, X. B., Liu, Y. L., Jiao, Q. Q., Feng, X. B., & Zheng, B. (2020) · Journal of Business Research · doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.05.048 · Cited by 72 · see citing works
Communication Empowerment Framework: An integrative framework to support effective communication and interaction between carers and people living with dementia
Morris, L., Mansell, W., Williamson, T., Alison Wray, A., & McEvoy, P. (2018) · Dementia · doi:10.1177/1471301218805329 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Value Fulfillment from a Cybernetic Perspective: A New Psychological Theory of Well-Being
DeYoung, C. G., & Tiberius, V. (2022) · Personality and Social Psychology Review · doi:10.1177/10888683221083777 · Cited by 70 · see citing works
“Validating this view, meta-analysis has linked goal conflict to reduced subjective well-being, assessed as satisfaction with life or various positive and negative emotional states (Gray et al., 2017).”
Background
The pursuit of multiple goals
Kung, F. Y. H., & Scholer, A. A. (2019) · Social and Personality Psychology Compass · doi:10.1111/spc3.12509 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Self-regulatory processes within and between diverse goals: The multiple goals regulation framework
Kim, Y.-E., Yu, S. L., Wolters, C., & Anderman, E. M. (2023) · Educational Psychology · doi:10.1080/00461520.2022.2158828 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
“ment, motivation, and psychological well-being (e.g., Boudreaux & Ozer, 2013; Gray et al., 2017; Kelly et al., 2015).”
Background
Between Action and Emotional Survival During the COVID-19 era: Sensorimotor Pathways as Control Systems of Transdiagnostic Anxiety-Related Intolerance to Uncertainty
Goldstein Ferber, S., Shoval, G., Zalsman, G., Mikulincer, M., & Weller, A. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.680403 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Moving Beyond Two Goals: An Integrative Review and Framework for the Study of Multiple Goals
Kung, F. Y. H., & Scholer, A. A. (2021) · Personality and Social Psychology Review · doi:10.1177/1088868320985810 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
“As supported by a meta-analysis (Gray et al., 2017), these negative relations tend to generalize across domains (e.g., work, academic).”
BackgroundResultInfluential
Examining the Associations of Trait Self-control with Hedonic and Eudaimonic Well-being
Li, Q., Xiang, G., Song, S., Huang, X., & Chen, H. (2021) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-021-00418-w · Cited by 39 · see citing works
Goal Conflict Encourages Work and Discourages Leisure
Etkin, J., & Memmi, S. A. (2020) · Journal of Consumer Research · doi:10.1093/jcr/ucaa019 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Better off without? Benefits and costs of resolving goal conflict through goal shelving and goal disengagement
Mayer, Z., & Freund, A. M. (2022) · Motivation and Emotion · doi:10.1007/s11031-022-09966-x · Cited by 31 · see citing works
‘It was me answering my own questions’: Experiences of method of levels therapy amongst people with first‐episode psychosis
Griffiths, R., Mansell, W., Edge, D., Carey, T. A., Peel, H., & Tai, S. (2019) · International Journal of Mental Health Nursing · doi:10.1111/inm.12576 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
“A recent meta-analysis has provided evidence that higher levels of goal conflict are associated with greater psychological distress and lower levels of positive psychological outcomes (Gray et al. 2017).”
Background
The Psychological Pathway to Suicide Attempts: A Strategy of Control Without Awareness
Macintyre, V. G., Mansell, W., Pratt, D., & Tai, S. J. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.588683 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
The relationship between primary human needs of the Good Lives Model (GLM) and subjective well-being in adolescents: A multi-level meta-analysis
Serie, C., Damme, L. V., Pleysier, S., de Ruiter, C., & Put, J. (2021) · Aggression and Violent Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.avb.2021.101651 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
“I deserve a break!”: how temporal landmarks and the perception of deservingness influence consumers’ travel motivation and intention
Li, Q., & Yu, L. (2018) · Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing · doi:10.1080/10548408.2018.1525471 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
You have to let go sometimes: advances in understanding goal disengagement
Kappes, C., & Schattke, K. P. (2022) · Motivation and Emotion · doi:10.1007/s11031-022-09980-z · Cited by 26 · see citing works
“The number and quality of alternatives might, on the one hand, support goal disengagement and reengagement processes, but, on the other, they might also create the necessity to disengage from goals in the first place due to conflicting goals or limited resources (Gray et al., 2017; Mayer et al.).”
Background
Taming a wild new term: exploring the concept of quiet quitting as a coping response
Armstrong, R., & Pfandler, C. (2024) · Employee Relations · doi:10.1108/er-03-2024-0172 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Aiming at a Moving Target: Theoretical and Methodological Considerations in the Study of Intraindividual Goal Conflict between Personal Goals
Gorges, J., & Grund, A. (2017) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02011 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
“Such lack of coherence and—eventually—conceptual clarity may threaten the validity of empirical results and lead to meta-analytic reviews being limited by a lack of comparable research designs (Gray et al., 2017).”
BackgroundResult
High goal conflict and low goal meaning are associated with an increased likelihood of subsequent religious transformation in adolescents
Schnitker, S. A., Ratchford, J. L., Emmons, R. A., & Barrett, J. L. (2019) · Journal of Research in Personality · doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2019.04.004 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Academic, social, and well-being goals in the classroom: The dynamic interplay between multiple goals and self-regulatory processes
Kim, Y., Yu, S. L., Wolters, C. A., & Anderman, E. M. (2021) · Contemporary Educational Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.cedpsych.2021.102018 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Goal Motives and Well-Being in Student-Athletes: A Person-Centered Approach
Healy, L. C., Ntoumanis, N., & Arthur, C. A. (2020) · Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology · doi:10.1123/jsep.2019-0125 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“However, it is important to examine these relations when individuals are pursuing multiple goals, particularly as a recent meta-analysis showed that goal conflict is associated with poorer psychological wellbeing (Gray et al., 2017).”
Background
Psychometric evaluation of the Ryff’s Scale of psychological wellbeing in self-identified American entrepreneurs
Manchiraju, S. (2020) · Journal of Business Venturing Insights · doi:10.1016/j.jbvi.2020.e00204 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
The perceptual control model of psychopathology
Mansell, W. (2021) · Current Opinion in Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.01.008 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Mindfulness in everyday life: between- and within-person relationships to motivational conflicts
Senker, K., Fries, S., & Grund, A. (2020) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-020-00760-x · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Thinking, Young and Old: Cognitive Job Demands and Strain Across the Lifespan
Abbasi, A. A., & Bordia, P. (2018) · Work Aging and Retirement · doi:10.1093/workar/way013 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Goal conflict, ambivalence and psychological distress: Concurrent and longitudinal relationships
Moberly, N. J., & Dickson, J. M. (2018) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2018.03.008 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
The Signs and Significance of Personality Coherence in Personal Stories and Strivings
Fournier, M., Dong, M.-X., Quitasol, M. N., Weststrate, N. M., & Domenico, S. D. (2018) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/0146167218764659 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“Given preliminary evidence to suggest that the thematic dimension of narrative coherence continues to develop into middle adulthood (Köber, Schmiedek, & Habermas, 2015), as well as recent meta-analytic evidence to suggest that goal conflicts are more emotionally consequential among older adults than among adolescents…”
BackgroundInfluential
A feasibility study of the impact of a communication-skills course, ‘Empowered Conversations’, for care partners of people living with dementia
Morris, L., Innes, A., Smith, E., Williamson, T., & McEvoy, P. (2021) · Dementia · doi:10.1177/14713012211018929 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
“Since enduring goal conflicts are likely to cause distress and stress (Gray et al., 2017; Kelly et al., 2015), helping care partners to work around them is crucial.”
Background
Balancing act: Exploring the interplay of production pressure and innovation/flexibility climates on employee well‐being
Aksoy, E. (2024) · Creativity and Innovation Management · doi:10.1111/caim.12640 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“This conflict leads to inhibited goal progress, thereby reducing psychological well-being (Gray et al., 2017).”
Time in relation to goals
Etkin, J. (2018) · Current Opinion in Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2018.04.013 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Academics–Athletics Conflict and College Athletes’ Well-Being: The Mediating Effect of Negative Emotions and the Moderating Effect of Life Motivation
Sun, W., Liu, L., Jiang, Y., Ping, F., Ding, X., & Wang, G. (2023) · Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.3390/bs13020093 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Principals may inflate teacher evaluation scores to achieve important goals
Jones, E. A., Bergin, C. C., & Murphy, B. C. (2021) · Educational Assessment Evaluation and Accountability · doi:10.1007/s11092-021-09366-8 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“When principals hold multiple goals, the goals can be complementary, conflicting, or unrelated (Gray et al., 2017; Kruglanski et al., 2002).”
Background
Suicidal behaviours (ideation, plan and attempt) among school-going adolescents: A study of prevalence, predisposing, and protective factors in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Sarfo, J. O., Obeng, P., Debrah, T. P., Gbordzoe, N. I., & Fosu, A. (2022) · Dialogues in Health · doi:10.1016/j.dialog.2022.100077 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
How and why do social entrepreneurs experience goal conflict differently?
Pieniazek, R. L., Unsworth, K. L., & Dean, H. (2024) · Journal of Business Venturing Insights · doi:10.1016/j.jbvi.2024.e00452 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Components and Correlates of Personality Coherence in Action, Agency, and Authorship
Fournier, M., Dong, M.-X., Quitasol, M. N., Weststrate, N. M., & Domenico, S. D. (2021) · European Journal of Personality · doi:10.1177/08902070211034954 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“Second, the organization of personality at midlife might set the stage for specific tasks or “big questions” related to personality coherence: by midlife, adults’ traits are least likely to change (Roberts & DelVecchio, 2000), tasking them to come to terms with who they are now; midlife adults have fewer but more cons…”
Background
Managing conflicting goals through prioritization? The role of age and relative goal importance
Freund, A. M., & Tomasik, M. J. (2021) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0247047 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Does Goal Conflict Necessarily Undermine Wellbeing? A Moderated Mediating Effect of Mixed Emotion and Construal Level
Sun, W., Zheng, Z., Jiang, Y., Tian, L., & Ping, F. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.653512 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
How (much) do people revise their goals after success and failure? The Triple-A model of goal revision
Theobald, M., Lin, W. M., Sakaki, M., Murayama, K., & Brod, G. (2025) · Educational Psychologist · doi:10.1080/00461520.2025.2533232 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“Additionally, extensive research has been conducted on how people cope with goal conflict (Gray et al., 2017), unattainable goals (Wrosch et al., 2003), and balancing multiple, competing goals (Louro et al., 2007).”
S-ACRISS R: Slovak adaptation of the action crisis scale
Kačmár, P., Wolf, B. M., Bavoľár, J., Schrötter, J., & Lovaš, L. (2022) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-022-02955-w · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“Moreover, a relationship between goal conflict and well-being as well as psychological distress have been established in previous research (Gray et al., 2017).”
Result
Why are hedonists less happy than eudaimonists? The chain mediating role of goal conflict and mixed emotions
Sun, W., Liu, L., Jiang, Y., Ping, F., Ding, X., & Wang, G. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1074026 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“Empirical evidence also shows a significant negative relationship between goal conflict and life satisfaction (Boudreaux and Ozer, 2013; Gray et al., 2017).”
BackgroundResult
Mindset as Characteristic Adaptations: Using Response Surface Analysis to Assess Mindset in the Personality System
Ratchford, J. L., Williams, E. G., Bishara, L., Houltberg, B. J., & Schnitker, S. A. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.701510 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“Contrary to hypotheses based on self-concordance theory (Sheldon and Elliot, 1999) and research on goal conflict (Gray et al., 2017), we did not find that congruence in mindsets across domains affects well-being in our sample.”
BackgroundResultInfluential
Feeling Socially Connected and Focusing on Growth: Relationships With Wellbeing During a Major Holiday in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Vaughn, L. A., Burkins, P. G., Chalachan, R. D., Judd, J., Garvey, C. A., & Luginsland, J. W. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.710491 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Teachers Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Goal Conflicts Affect Teaching Motivation Mediated by Basic Need Satisfaction
Gorges, J., Neumann, P., & Störtländer, J. C. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.876521 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Positive and Negative Spillover Effects: Managing Multiple Goals in Middle Adulthood
Schüttengruber, V., Krings, F., & Freund, A. M. (2023) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-981-19-4567-0_3 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
A dynamic segmentation of U.S. women during the COVID ‐19 pandemic
Ackerman, J. M., Borinstein, A., Kaji, J., Bekier, J., Wrinn, C., & Dockendorf, T. (2023) · International Journal of Consumer Studies · doi:10.1111/ijcs.12932 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Personal Projects’ Appraisals and Compulsive Buying among University Students: Evidence from Galicia, Spain
López, X. M. O., Santiago, M. J., & Bolaño, C. C. (2021) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su132413509 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“Previous empirical evidence is in line with this as it confirms that the conflict between goals is associated with distress [77], that low life satisfaction is associated with a conflictive system of projects [28], and that the conflict between strivings is associated with high levels of negative affect, depression, n…”
Result
What do highly motivated people know? Balancing goals, prioritizing actions
Ayelet Fishbach, B., Wang, J., & Fadayomi, I. (2024) · Current Opinion in Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2024.101871 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Outcome preferences in fidelity-adaptation scenarios across evidence-based parenting programs: A discrete choice experiment
Pettersson, K., Millroth, P., Giannotta, F., Liedgren, P., Lyon, A. R., Hasson, H., & Schwarz, U. V. T. (2025) · Implementation Science · doi:10.1186/s13012-025-01421-y · Cited by 5 · see citing works
The Creative Space Theory as a map to explore the mind
Goulet‐Pelletier, J., & Cousineau, D. (2024) · Possibility Studies & Society · doi:10.1177/27538699241233195 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“Research have shown that goals could be held subconsciously and still interact with conscious goals (Stajkovic et al., 2006), as well as impact task/job performance (Chen et al., 2021), and influence well being (Gray et al., 2017).”
Background
Adherence versus striving to adhere to vegan, vegetarian, or pescatarian diets: Applying a goal-centered, self-regulatory framework
Ruehlman, L. S., & Karoly, P. (2022) · Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1177/13591053221111976 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“Goal conflict has been associated with poor diet control, psychological distress, and dysfunctional health goal outcomes (Gray et al., 2017; Karoly and Ruehlman, 1996; Stroebe et al., 2008).”
Background
Le doctorat, aventure de (trans)formation singulière et sociale
Niclasse, C. (2022) · Peter Lang eBooks · doi:10.3726/b19953 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Digital Health Interventions Providing Behavioral Assessment and Goal Prioritization Support: Scoping Review
McNeill, I. M., Borland, R., & Abraham, C. (2025) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/68112 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Modelle gesundheitsbezogenen Handelns und Verhaltensänderung
Lippke, S., Schüz, B., & Godde, B. (2021) · Springer Reference Pflege – Therapie – Gesundheit · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-58314-2_29 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Exploring the Effects of Interrelated Goals, Anxiety, and Mindfulness on Somatic Symptoms
Christoe-Frazier, L., & Johnson, B. D. (2021) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-021-01653-1 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Way of life: A future research agenda for how worldviews impact financial attitudes and behaviors
Enete, S., & McDowell, S. (2024) · Financial Planning Review · doi:10.1002/cfp2.1177 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
The Organization of Self-Knowledge in Adolescence: Some Contributions Using the Repertory Grid Technique
Carapeto, M., & Feixas, G. (2020) · European Journal of Investigation in Health Psychology and Education · doi:10.3390/ejihpe10010031 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“Research has shown that this type of conflict is related to psychological distress [34,35], including in adolescents [31].”
Background
Goal conflict in retirement: Implications for satisfaction, goal pursuit, and health
Yarrington, J. S., Tomlinson, J. M., Zhang, Y., & Sherry, A. (2021) · Personal Relationships · doi:10.1111/pere.12414 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Best possible future self writing: Effects on well-being, self-regulation, and related processes
Bean, M. R. (2019) · Sheffield Hallam University · doi:10.7190/shu-thesis-00193 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
The mediating role of career concerns between career goal inconsistency, alienation and loneliness
Özman, C., Uğraş, S., Sağın, A. E., Yücekaya, M. A., Eyüboğlu, E., & Daşkesen, S. S. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1670414 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“Meta-analytic evidence indicates that, in general, goal conflict is significantly associated with poorer psychological well-being, including increased psychological distress and lower life satisfaction (Creed et al., 2015; Gray et al., 2017).”
The impact of emotion regulation strategies on anxiety and depression among college students in confinement situation due to COVID-19: a relevance model of goal focus as a moderator
Xiao, M., Zhang, C., Chen, X., Su, Y., Wei, J., Zhuang, Y., Wu, J., Gao, D., & Xu, J. (2025) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-025-07303-3 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“Consequently, cognitive reappraisal strategies, instead of reducing anxiety, may trigger increased rumination and concerns [47].”
Temporal dynamics of physical activity intentions and attitudes under goal conflict and time pressure in university students
Wang, Z., Madiyeva, G., Shepetyuk, N., Guo, Y., & Alimkhanov, E. (2025) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-28282-1 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“Consistent with this view, research on personal strivings shows that intergoal interference reduces persistence and well-being, indicating that competition among goals can suppress investment in lower-priority pursuits 24 .”
Toward an integrative perspective of personalised stress regulation: insights from perceptual control theory
Gucciardi, D. F., Crane, M. F., Riddell, H., & Mansell, W. (2026) · Health Psychology Review · doi:10.1080/17437199.2026.2619026 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“…are poorly modelled by the system (novel) or implicate high-stakes goals such as safety, identity, or social belonging (critical) because either condition increases the magnitude or persistence of error (Gray et al., 2017; Morgeson et al., 2015; Peters et al., 2017; Smith et al., 2017).”
Influential
Juggling conflicting demands: registered nurses’ experiences of goal conflicts in acute illness consultations in primary care – a thematic analysis
Östman, M., Bergman, K., Östensson, S., & Holmström, I. K. (2026) · BMC Family Practice · doi:10.1186/s12875-026-03364-9 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“However, clinical decision-making often occurs under organizational and time constraints, creating goal conflicts, situations in which competing objectives interfere with one another and may cause stress or reduced well-being [25–27].”
The Impact of Using Gamified Augmented Reality in Developing Learning Engagement and Quality of Learning Life among Tenth-Grade Physics Students
Alharthi, M. (2024) · International Journal for Research in Education · doi:10.36771/ijre.48.2.24-pp55-113 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
The impact of boundary spanning activities and resource orchestration in improving performance of Indonesian state-owned bank branches
Ariwibowo, A. F., Afiff, A. Z., Rachmawati, R., & Kusumastuti, R. D. (2024) · Humanities and Social Sciences Communications · doi:10.1057/s41599-024-02831-x · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“Goal con ﬂ ict is one of the crucial factors in motivation theory (Gray et al. 2017).”
Modelle gesundheitsbezogenen Handelns und Verhaltensänderung
Lippke, S., Schüz, B., & Godde, B. (2019) · Springer Reference Pflege, Therapie, Gesundheit · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-55793-8_8-1 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Study protocol for an adapted personal project analysis to measure vertical inter-goal relations on physical activity and diet
Kassas, S., Culot, C., Crombez, G., Smeding, A., Leys, C., Thompson, D. I., & DeSmet, A. (2022) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-022-00931-4 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“Studies have explored horizontal relations only between health goals and other life goals using matrix methods [11, 28–30], one of the most used methods in research on inter-goal conflicting and facilitating relations [31].”
BackgroundMethod
Stressors and Coping Strategies for Junior College Students in Maritime Boarding College
Zuhriyah, F., Winta, M. V. I., & Pratiwi, M. M. S. (2023) · Dinamika Bahari · doi:10.46484/db.v4i1.365 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Promoting Psychological Wellbeing across the Life Span: Prospects and Challenges in Nigeria
Togonu‐Bickersteth, F., Modupe, T., & Oluwaleimu, O. (2020) · Journal of Psychology & Behavior Research · doi:10.22158/jpbr.v2n1p43 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Individual preferences in multiple goal pursuit: Reconsidering the conceptualization and dimensionality of polychronicity
Yang, Z., Kung, F. Y. H., & Schneider, D. W. (2024) · Applied Psychology · doi:10.1111/apps.12575 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“Why Perfectionism May Not be So Perfect”: The Roles of Goal Conflict and Cognitive Load in Choice Difficulty
Kao, D. T. (2025) · Journal of Applied Social Psychology · doi:10.1111/jasp.70000 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Goals Across Time Frames and Temporal Landmarks: Do Time of Year and Goal Age Influence Goal Perceptions?
Milyavskaya, M., Thorne, T., Sullivan, M., & Esselink, N. A. (2025) · Psychological Reports · doi:10.1177/00332941251399129 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Drained Tourists: Goal Conflict Undermines Well-Being via Ego Depletion and Self-Regulation Failure
Zhao, J., Dong, N., Wang, Y., Liu, S., & Li, J. (. (2025) · Leisure Sciences · doi:10.1080/01490400.2025.2589365 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Are they heading in the same direction? An analysis of goal perspectives among key stakeholders in junior elite sport
Griesinger, A. N., Ehnold, P., Zetzsche, R., & Schlesinger, T. (2026) · International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching · doi:10.1177/17479541261426924 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Modelle gesundheitsbezogenen Handelns und Verhaltensänderung
Lippke, S., Schüz, B., & Godde, B. (2021) · Springer Reference Pflege, Therapie, Gesundheit · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-62426-5_8 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Modelle gesundheitsbezogenen Handelns und Verhaltensänderung
Lippke, S., & Schüz, B. (2022) · Springer Reference Pflege, Therapie, Gesundheit · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-65219-0_29 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Communication in dementia: The development of a new understanding and training intervention that is informed by perceptual control theory
McEvoy, P., & Morris, L. (2023) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-91165-8.00017-2 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Empirically informed, idiographic networks of concordant and discordant motives: An experience sampling study with network analysis in non-clinical participants
Lüdtke, T., Steiner, F., Berger, T., & Westermann, S. (2025) · Clinical Psychology in Europe · doi:10.32872/cpe.12305 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“In line with this, psychotherapy is accompa nied by a reduction of incongruence (e.g., Berking et al., 2003) and psychological conflicts of goals (more broadly defined and not restricted to motives) are inversely associated with psychological well-being (Gray et al., 2017).”
Modelle gesundheitsbezogenen Handelns und Verhaltensänderung
Lippke, S., & Schüz, B. (2018) · Springer Reference Pflege, Therapie, Gesundheit · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-54179-1_29-1 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Christian Faith Enhances Meaning in Life
Chan, T.-C., & Kong, F. (2022) · Atlantis highlights in social sciences, education and humanities/Atlantis Highlights in Social Sciences, Education and Humanities · doi:10.2991/978-94-6463-096-1_15 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Constructing a psycho-social model for team cohesion at a financial institution
Moerane, E. M. (2018) · Unisa Institutional Repository (University of South Africa)
Identity Integration in Emerging Adulthood: A Longitudinal Investigation of Well-being and Psychological Outcomes
Nelson, S. C., & Syed, M. (2017) · University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy (University of Minnesota) · doi:10.17605/osf.io/j6erx
The Impacts of Traits and the Impacts of Interactions between Traits and Goals on Hedonic and Eudaemonic Wellbeing
Liu, Y. (2019) · University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy (University of Minnesota)
Mediating Effect of Uncertainty on The Relationship Between Interpersonal Attraction Traits and Life Happiness amongst Facebook Users
Bolong, J., & Attan, S. A. (2020) · International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences · doi:10.6007/ijarbss/v10-i15/8248 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“Life happiness is the psychological state of well-being, joy, and contentment, which evolved from the positive movement in life (Lyubomirsky, 2001) since the pursuit of happiness is an important life goal for every human being (Gray et al., 2017).”
Background
نمطا التعليقات الإلکترونية (المفتوحة، والمغلقة) عبر تطبيقات الصور التشارکية وأثره في تنمية مهارات التصوير الرقمي والسعادة النفسية لدى الطلاب ضعاف السمع.
أحمد, م. ح. (2022) · المجلة التربوية لکلية التربية بسوهاج · doi:10.21608/edusohag.2022.214745
Modelle gesundheitsbezogenen Handelns und Verhaltensänderung
Lippke, S., & Schüz, B. (2021) · Springer Reference Pflege, Therapie, Gesundheit · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-54179-1_29-2
Feeling socially connected and focusing on growth: Relationships with well-being during a major holiday in the COVID-19 pandemicPreprint
Vaughn, L. A., Burkins, P. G., Chalachan, R. D., Judd, J., Garvey, C. A., & Luginsland, J. W. (2021) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/shnk7
Comparison of psychological well-being, resilience and rumination in mothers of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and normal children
Molaei, N., & Rezaei, A. (2022) · Psychology of Woman Journal · doi:10.52547/psychowoman.3.1.37
Designing mental health services that are fit for purpose using the principles of Perceptual Control Theory
Griffiths, R. (2023) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-91165-8.00003-2
AN EVENT-LEVEL DECISION-MAKING PERSPECTIVE ON EMPLOYEE VOICE AND SILENCEPreprint
Dilba, D., & Meyer, B. M. (2023) · doi:10.31219/osf.io/a6gzh
Gesündere Arbeit durch Positive Psychologie: Konzepte und Anwendungen
Bartzik, M., Handschuch, K., & Peifer, C. (2024) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-68461-0_12
Quelle est votre conception du bienêtre ? Quatre pistes pour une étude et une pratique éclairée du bienêtre en contexte scolaire
Mamprin, C., & Goyette, N. (2024) · Revue des sciences de l éducation · doi:10.7202/1119362ar
Learning From Older Adults: An Intergoal Compatibility Account for Successful Happiness Pursuit
Wong, N., & Gong, X.-M. (2025) · Personality and Social Psychology Review · doi:10.1177/10888683251384840
“…and obligations) represent one of the primary sources of psychological stress in our lives, hindering the pursuit of happiness both in the short and long terms (Emmons & King, 1988; Fishbach et al., 2024; Gray et al., 2017; Riediger & Freund, 2004; Wrosch et al., 2003; Yarrington et al., 2022).”
Teachers’ emotional appraisals and the reframing of student change in post-pandemic schools
Gaines, R., Chang, M., Palmer, M., & Mosley, K. C. (2025) · Frontiers in Education · doi:10.3389/feduc.2025.1720307
“The whole thing is a juggling act”: Qualitative exploration of goal systems among activists and nonactivists
Grzymała-Moszczyńska, J., Coenen, A., Gore-Gorszewska, G., Kunst, J. R., Kałwak, W., & Jaśko, K. (2025) · Journal of Social and Political Psychology · doi:10.5964/jspp.15491
Profiles of youth’s values prior to postsecondary transitions: Associations with well-being and career decision-making
Ahn, J. S., Litalien, D., Bradshaw, E. L., Ferber, K. A., Dupéré, V., Mbanga, R., & Audet, L. (2026) · Applied Developmental Science · doi:10.1080/10888691.2026.2630177 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
A multilevel, longitudinal examination of goal conflict & goal harmony
Ratchford, J. L., Jayawickreme, E., Jeffrey, A., & Schnitker, S. A. (2026) · European Journal of Personality · doi:10.1177/08902070261432959
“…cant associations between goal con ﬂ ict and goal harmony (Presseau et al., 2010; Riediger, 2007; Riediger & Freund, 2004), and they show different patterns of association with personality functioning and well-being when measured as unipolar constructs (Gray et al., 2017; Riediger & Freund, 2004).”
Influential
Do people know how they impact their Partner’s goal pursuit? Accuracy, bias, and associations with relationship outcomes
Connard, E., Kilian, J. L., Gere, J., & LaBuda, J. E. (2026) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/02654075261435648
“En-countering more challenges and goal incompatibility has implications for the self (e.g., greater psychological distress and lower affective well-being; Gere et al., 2011; Gray et al., 2017) and the relationship (e.g., lower relationship satisfaction; Gere & Schimmack, 2013; Toma et al., 2023).”
Uncertainty management as multiple goal regulation
Gavarkovs, A. G. (2026) · Medical Education · doi:10.1111/medu.70231
“7,8 The anxiety and stress associated with uncertainty may therefore stem, at least in part, from recognising that a response (e.g., asking a supervisor for help) may resolve one goal (e.g., ensuring patient safety) but hinder another (e.g., learning to be an independent clinician).”
Using self-determination theory to consider gender differences in the importance of romantic relationships
Meltzer, A. L., & McNulty, J. K. (2026) · Behavioral and Brain Sciences · doi:10.1017/s0140525x25102549

Goal conflict, goal striving, and psychological well-being
Boudreaux, M. J., & Ozer, D. J. (2012) · Motivation and Emotion · doi:10.1007/s11031-012-9333-2 · Cited by 145 · see citing works
The relationship between internal conflict and well-being : a control theory perspective
Mansell, W., Stewart, A. J., Wood, A. M., & Kelly, R. E. (2011) · OpenGrey (Institut de l'Information Scientifique et Technique)
Does Goal Conflict Necessarily Undermine Wellbeing? A Moderated Mediating Effect of Mixed Emotion and Construal Level
Sun, W., Zheng, Z., Jiang, Y., Tian, L., & Ping, F. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.653512 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Individual differences in response to goal conflict: impact of causality orientations on goal progress and emotional well-being during goal conflict
Hoet, A. C. (2017) · NC Digital Online Collection of Knowledge and Scholarship (The University of North Carolina at Greensboro)
Goal conflict and well-being: a review and hierarchical model of goal conflict, ambivalence, self-discrepancy and self-concordance.
Kelly, R. E., Mansell, W., & Wood, A. M. (2015) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2015.05.011 · Cited by 154 · see citing works

Authors: Gray, J. S., Ozer, D. J., & Rosenthal, R.
Affiliations: University of California, Riverside (US)
Corresponding author: Gray, Jacob S.
ORCID: Gray, Jacob S.
Ozer, Daniel J.
Venue: Journal of Research in Personality
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2017-02
Volume: 66
Pages: 27-37
ISSN: 0092-6566 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.jrp.2016.12.003
OpenAlex: W2561203099
Cited by: 103
References: 98
Citations by year: 2026: 11 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 3
FWCI: 0.94
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations: Journal of Research in Personality (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Education, Achievement, and Giftedness
Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Human Behavior and Motivation
Keywords: goal conflict, psychological well-being, psychological distress, motivation, student samples

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