Life Goals Diagnosis: Short Version of “Aspirations Index” Questionnaire

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to develop a short version of the “Aspirations Index” questionnaire, based on the life goals sub-theory of self-determination theory and designed to measure two types of goals: intrinsic (Self-Expression, Relationships, Community scales) and extrinsic (Appearance, Fame, Influence scales). A total of 5635 high school students between the ages of 16 and 18 participated in the study (M = 16.81, SD = 0.68, 41% male). Confirmatory factor analysis of questionnaire’s structure demonstrated an acceptable fit to the data from both the six-factor model and the hierarchical model with the factors of intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations. The structure of the questionnaire at the scale level was confirmed to be consistent with a circular (circumplex) model, reflecting the expected ordering of the scales according to the intrinsic or extrinsic nature of the goals. The good internal consistency of the scales is evidenced by the magnitude of the Cranach’s α coefficients (0.78–0.85 for the first-level scales, 0.84 for intrinsic aspirations, and 0.89 for extrinsic aspirations). Correlations of the scales with the indicators of psychological well-being, motivation, and success in studies testify to the validity of the questionnaire. The presence of aspirations has been shown to be generally conducive to well-being, but it is the dominance of intrinsic prosocial aspirations that is most favorable.