Self-Regulatory Goal Motivational Processes in Sustained New Year Resolution Pursuit and Mental Wellbeing

Recent research suggests people typically “give up” pursuing their New Year resolutions within the first month. The present study investigated goal features proposed to be implicated in promoting both mental wellbeing and sustained resolution pursuit. Australian UK participants (n = 182) took part an online longitudinal study, including four timepoints over a two-month period. At baseline, listed which they were most committed, completed self-report measures assess wellbeing, flexibility tenacity. follow-up surveys, measure commitment, effort stickability. As predicted, predicted across time, however, tenacity did not. Counter prediction, neither nor reported at baseline “sticking” with one’s resolution. interaction between was not significant. focused predominantly on “diet” “exercise” same previously pursued tended relatively abstract. Although greater findings overall tend support view that are particularly good sticking resolutions. Implications of discussed.