This study explored potential linkages between personal projects (Little,
1983) and possible selves (Markus, 1986), two mid-level units of analyses in
personality research. The primary goal of this research was to bridge participants'
current project as state volunteer ombudsmen for care facilities, to their future,
hoped-for selves. This relationship was examined under the framework of
Developmental Systems Theory (Ford & Lerner, 1992) using multiple linear
regression and correlational analyses. It was theorized that participants' personal
project ratings on the volunteer role should be related and congruent with their
possible selves. It was also hypothesized that participants who reported a
relatedness between their personal project and possible self would indicate they
were more satisfied with their ombudsman role.
The ombudsman role was specifically identified in 25% of the participants'
hoped-for selves. Ombudsman hoped-for selves were also the second most
frequently reported selves.
The presence of an ombudsman hoped-for self was significantly correlated with
two personal project ratings, progress and visibility.
Contrary to prediction, the possible selves rating of relatedness was
insignificantly correlated with satisfaction. Furthermore, the presence of an
ombudsman self was not related to satisfaction. Time devoted to the ombudsman
role however, was a significant predictor of satisfaction.
Among participants who identified an ombudsman self, the possible selves
rating of relatedness was significantly correlated with three personal project ratings,
enjoyment, visibility, and challenge. These three variables significantly predicted
relatedness. Among all participants, the possible selves rating of relatedness was
significantly correlated with one personal project rating, value congruency. The
overall domains of meaning and stress were not significant predictors of
relatedness. / Graduation date: 2003
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/31523 |
| Date | 22 August 2002 |
| Creators | Bolkan, Cory R. |
| Contributors | Hooker, Karen A. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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