Motivational Factors Are Varying across Age Groups and Gender

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health 2022-04, Vol.19 (9), p.5207
• Main Authors: Sigmundsson, Hermundur, Haga, Monika, Elnes, Magdalena, Dybendal, Benjamin Holen, Hermundsdottir, Fanny
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Achievement; Adult; Age groups; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Females; Gender; Gender differences; Humans; Intelligence; Learning; Male; Males; Motivation; Schools; Secondary school students; Skills; Teenagers; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095207

The aim of the current study was to explore differences in passion for achievement, grit, and mindset across age and gender, by using a cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of 1548 participants including 931 females and 617 males aged from 13 to 77 years (Mage 26.53 years, SD = 11.77). The eight-item Passion for Achievement Scale was used to assess general passion and the Grit-S scale was used to assess grit. Mindset was assessed using the eight-item Theories of Intelligence Scale (TIS). The results indicated significant differences between the three factors related to age, age groups, and gender. For the total sample, there was a significant gender difference in passion, where males score higher, and growth mindset, where females score higher. With age, passion decreases until the age of 50-59, and slightly increases for the remaining age groups. After a decrease in grit between the first (13-19 years) and the second (20-29 years) age group, grit increases with age. Mindset scores decline strongly after the age of 40-49. Generally, the patterns show that mindset and passion decrease across the life-span, while grit increases. Indeed, these attributes seems to be different from each other, and how they change varies across age groups.