Defensive pessimism, self-esteem and achievement goalsA person-centered approach

  1. María del Mar Ferradás Canedo 1
  2. Carlos Freire Rodríguez 1
  3. Bibiana Regueiro Fernández 1
  4. Antonio Valle Arias 1
  1. 1 Universidade da Coruña
    info

    Universidade da Coruña

    La Coruña, España

    ROR https://ror.org/01qckj285

Journal:
Psicothema

ISSN: 0214-9915

Year of publication: 2018

Volume: 30

Issue: 1

Pages: 53-58

Type: Article

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Abstract

Background: The relationship between defensive pessimism, self-esteem, and achievement goals is a controversial issue. The main contribution of this research is the adoption of a person-centered approach to explore the existence of differentiated profi les of university students, which combine self-esteem and defensive pessimism. In addition, we analyze whether these profi les differ in their achievement goals (learning, performanceapproach, performance-avoidance, and work-avoidance). Method: 1,028 university students took part in the study. Results: Four student profi les were identifi ed: (a) HSE/MDP (high self-esteem and moderate defensive pessimism); (b) LSE/LDP (low self-esteem and low defensive pessimism); (c) HSE/LDP (high self-esteem and low defensive pessimism); and (d) LSE/HDP (low self-esteem and high defensive pessimism). These four profi les differ signifi cantly in their achievement goals. Conclusions: The use of defensive pessimism may involve students with either low or high self-esteem, although the two profi les follow differentiated motivational achievement trajectories.

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