Abstract
Individuals’ goals can direct their own social behavior and development. We extended and validated a social dating goals measure
(SDGS-R) to assess identity, intimacy and status goals, and compared goals by age, gender, sexual orientation and romantic
status. Participants were 121 adolescents and 249 emerging adults (age M = 20.6). The expected 3-factor structure of the SDGS-R was found and confirmed (18 items). Identity, intimacy and status
goals had small correlations with each other and analyses validated the meaning and uniqueness of each goal. Participants
reported more identity and intimacy goals than status goals. Intimacy goals were more prominent among older compared to teenage
participants and those with a partner rather than without one. Females reported more identity dating goals than males. There
was no difference in the goals of same-sex and other-sex attracted youth. The availability of the SDGS-R will allow further
study of romantic development and relationship functioning.
(SDGS-R) to assess identity, intimacy and status goals, and compared goals by age, gender, sexual orientation and romantic
status. Participants were 121 adolescents and 249 emerging adults (age M = 20.6). The expected 3-factor structure of the SDGS-R was found and confirmed (18 items). Identity, intimacy and status
goals had small correlations with each other and analyses validated the meaning and uniqueness of each goal. Participants
reported more identity and intimacy goals than status goals. Intimacy goals were more prominent among older compared to teenage
participants and those with a partner rather than without one. Females reported more identity dating goals than males. There
was no difference in the goals of same-sex and other-sex attracted youth. The availability of the SDGS-R will allow further
study of romantic development and relationship functioning.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s11031-011-9253-6
- Authors
- Melanie J. Zimmer-Gembeck, School of Psychology and Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia
- Nicole Hughes, School of Psychology and Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia
- Marguerite Kelly, School of Psychology and Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia
- Jennifer Connolly, Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Journal Motivation and Emotion
- Online ISSN 1573-6644
- Print ISSN 0146-7239