Social Goals and Well-Being

Abstract

Students have various social reasons for doing well in school (social-academic goals). However, most studies have focused on competence-oriented achievement goals with little attention paid to social-academic goals. This study aims to examine the role of social-academic goals in students' general well-being (Study 1) and socioemotional functioning in school (Study 2). High school students from the Philippines (n = 588 for Study 1; n = 1,147 for Study 2) were invited to participate in the study. Results of Study 1 showed that social concern goals were associated with higher levels of well-being. Study 2 showed that social responsibility goals were negatively associated with withdrawal, aggression, and resistance in school. Implications are discussed.