Goal Adjustment Capacities, Subjective Well-Being, and Physical Health.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review and theoretical discussion without systematic methodology
PubMed 25177358 · doi:10.1111/spc3.12074
What was done
The authors reviewed theoretical models and extant literature examining how individual differences in goal adjustment capacities—specifically goal disengagement and goal reengagement—affect subjective well-being and physical health when individuals confront unattainable goals.
What was found
The abstract reports no quantitative data or specific numerical estimates. Conceptually, the review reports that goal disengagement capacities reduce psychological distress and attenuate biological dysregulation and physical health problems among individuals encountering unattainable goals. Conversely, goal reengagement capacities associate with positive aspects of subjective well-being (such as positive affect and purpose in life), but rarely predict distress or physical health outcomes.
Why it matters
This framework distinguishes the functional roles of quitting unattainable goals (protective against distress and physiological strain) versus pursuing new goals (supportive of positive psychological states).
Limits
The abstract describes a narrative theoretical review rather than a systematic review or empirical study, providing no quantitative effect sizes, search parameters, or study selection criteria.
Cited by
- supports Psychological research demonstrates that individuals who are more adept at disengaging from unattainable goals experience better mental well-being and re-engage in new goals faster.