A longitudinal examination of the interactive effects of goal importance and self-efficacy upon multiple life goal progress

The present paper examines the interactive effects that goal importance and self-efficacy may exert upon the progress of multiple life goals. Personal goal progress in an adult sample (N = 76) were examined over a 12 week period. In accordance with previous research, it was hypothesised that when goal importance is high, self-efficacy will have a positive effect upon goal progress. However, when goal importance is low, self-efficacy should have a weaker effect upon goal progress. Results found the hypothesised interaction between goal importance and self-efficacy. Findings extend beyond previous laboratory based research where goal importance moderates the positive effects of self-efficacy by examining such effects in a real life multiple goal environment