Goal conflict and well-being: A review and hierarchical model of goal conflict, ambivalence, self-discrepancy and self-concordance

• Published in: Personality and individual differences 2015-10, Vol.85, p.212-229
• Main Authors: Kelly, Rebecca E., Mansell, Warren, Wood, Alex M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ambivalence; Goal conflict; Hierarchical; Self-concordance; Self-discrepancy; Well-being
• ISSN: 0191-8869; 1873-3549
• DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2015.05.011

•We integrate research on conflict, ambivalence, self-discrepancy and concordance.•We propose a hierarchical reconceptualization of these four concepts.•Goal conflict impacts negatively on well-being.•Pursuing goals that achieve one’s fundamental needs promotes well-being.•Conflict at higher levels in the hierarchy may be more detrimental to well-being. This paper reviews empirical evidence for associations between goal conflict, ambivalence, self-discrepancy, self-concordance and well-being. The research indicates that goal conflict, ambivalence and discrepancy impede well-being, whilst concordance promotes well-being. The evidence was strongest for ambivalence, self-discrepancy, and self-concordance, and weakest for goal conflict. A hierarchical conceptualisation of the four related constructs is presented. Goal conflict, ambivalence, and self-discrepancy may occur at different levels within a goal hierarchy, which ranges from abstract, high level goals to low-level, concrete goals. Self-concordance is conceptualised as a property of the goal hierarchy, where goals are un-conflicted and facilitate intrinsic motivations and needs. Conflict at multiple or higher levels in the hierarchy may pose greater problems for well-being.