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The Adolescent Life Goal Profile Scale: Development of a New Scale for Measurements of Life Goals Among Young People

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Abstract

In this study we developed and psychometrically tested the Adolescent Life Goal Profile Scale (ALGPS). This scale provides a new approach to the measurements of personal goals, meaning, structure and direction in adolescent lives—a focus that falls in line with the increasing awareness of the prospects and benefits of congruent living. The objective is to measure the perceived importance of four life goal categories (Relations, Generativity, Religion and Achievements) and the perceived attainability of these goals. The ALGPS is a psychological tool that can be useful for general adolescent research and as an approach to individual mental health care. Pilot study 1 consisted of focus group interviews as a methodological approach to better understand the culture and language of young people in Norway. In pilot study 2, we tested out a preliminary version of the ALGPS on a high school sample (N = 140) based on the results from pilot study 1. In the main study, we used the ALGPS and an accompanying test battery for validation purposes. All tests were administered to a new high school sample (N = 244). Exploratory factor analyses supported a 16 + 16 item version of the ALGPS (16 life goals and 16 attainability ratings). The four life goal categories were reproduced with low intercorrelations among the factors. This model was cross-validated in a new sample (N = 294) using confirmatory factor analysis. Further evidence for reliability and convergent validity is presented and applications are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Sørlandet Hospital Health Enterprise, Familie og Ungdomsteamet, Serviceboks 416, 4604, Kristiansand, Norway

    Leiv E. Gabrielsen

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, P.O. 1094 Blindern, 0317, Oslo, Norway

    Pål Ulleberg

  3. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Lillehammer University College, Helse- og sosialfag, Høgskolen i Lillehammer, Postboks 952, 2604, Lillehammer, Norway

    Reidulf G. Watten

Authors
  1. Leiv E. Gabrielsen
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  2. Pål Ulleberg
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  3. Reidulf G. Watten
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Correspondence to Leiv E. Gabrielsen.

Appendix: Adolescent Life Goal Profile Scale

Appendix: Adolescent Life Goal Profile Scale

Most of us have some long-term goals or plans. These are things we hope to achieve in life. Below, you will find a number of such goals. Consider:

  1. A.

    To what extent is this goal important to you?

  2. B.

    To what extent is this goal attainable for you or to what extent would it have been attainable for you?

For each question answer A first, then B

Relations Items

  • To have children

  • To have a girlfriend or boyfriend

  • To know someone to share everything with

  • To be sexually active

  • To be around friends

Generativity Items

  • To work to make the world a better place

  • To create something for the future

  • To help people who need it

  • To constantly find new challenges in life

  • To find the meaning in life

Religion Items

  • To believe in a God

  • To have a “life” after death

Achievements Items

  • To be admired by many

  • To be very rich

  • To get status for something I’m good at

  • To achieve a high education

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Gabrielsen, L.E., Ulleberg, P. & Watten, R.G. The Adolescent Life Goal Profile Scale: Development of a New Scale for Measurements of Life Goals Among Young People. J Happiness Stud 13, 1053–1072 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-011-9306-2

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