The role of mindfulness and autonomous motivation for goal progress and goal adjustment: an intervention study
Cathleen Kappes, Ariane S. Marion-Jetten, Geneviève Taylor, Daniel J. Schad, Birte Dreßler, Samira El-Hayek, Jule Hansemann, Rebecca Heine, Sarah Lindner, Lena Melzner, Cédric Meyer, Benjamin Pfister, Kaja Rogowski, R. Rose, Katharina Simson, Patric Stach
Motivation and Emotion September 2, 2023 DOI: 10.1007/s11031-023-10033-2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized waitlist control group design Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 228 |
| Population | Adults aged 18-78 years (mean 30.7 years), 84% female, pursuing self-selected personal goals |
| Dose | 9-12 minutes daily |
| Duration | 4 weeks |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 9 |
| Key points | Participants who received four weeks of daily online mindfulness exercises reported more progress on self-selected personal goals than waitlist controls. Autonomous motivation was higher for newly set goals in the mindfulness group but did not influence progress on existing goals. In the waitlist group, less attainable and less autonomous goals were devalued more over time, whereas the mindfulness group slightly devalued all goals regardless of motivation or attainability. |
Abstract
Abstract Previous correlational studies showed the importance of mindfulness and autonomous goal motivation for goal pursuit, goal setting, and goal disengagement processes. The present study examined the role of mindfulness in goal regulation processes for self-selected personal goals in a randomized waitlist control group design. Participants (N = 228,M = 30.7 years, 18–78 years; 84% female) either received daily 9-12-minute audio mindfulness exercises online for four weeks or were placed on a waitlist. Participants in the intervention group (N = 113) reported more goal progress compared with the control group (N = 116) at the end of the intervention. Autonomous goal motivation for already set goals did not influence change in goal progress. However, autonomous goal motivation for newly set goals was higher in the intervention group than in the control group. Additionally, we tested the role of mindfulness in interaction with goal attainability and autonomous motivation for goal adjustment processes (in this case, reduction of goal importance). In the control group, lower goal attainability at baseline was associated with a greater reduction in goal importance for less autonomous goals. For more autonomous goals, change in goal importance was independent from baseline attainability. In contrast, in the intervention group, all goals were slightly devalued over time independently from autonomous motivation and goal attainability at T1. Moreover, changes in goal attainability were positively linked to changes in goal importance over time. This effect was moderated by mindfulness and autonomous motivation. Overall, the findings point to the relevance of mindfulness and autonomous motivation for goal regulation processes.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Mindfulness and breathing exercises reduce stress and support goal progress Motivation and Emotion March 3, 2026
- Effects of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Achievement Goal Orientations in Teacher Education Uluslararası Türk Eğitim Bilimleri Dergisi November 29, 2025
Cites 12
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects Psychological Inquiry October 19, 2007
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Mental Training Affects Distribution of Limited Brain Resources PLoS Biology May 4, 2007
and 7 more in the library