The Mediating Role of Intrinsic Motivation in the Relationship of Emotion Regulation Styles and Self-determination With Goal Pursuit In Iranian Adolescents

Pursuing goals can help adolescents gain a sense of meaning and purpose in life. On the other hand, failure to achieve goals can lead to depression and despair. Considering the importance of goal pursuit in adolescence, the present study aims to examine the mediating role of intrinsic motivation in the relationship of emotion regulation styles and self-determination with goal pursuit in Iranian adolescents.

This is a descriptive-correlational study using structural equation modeling (SEM). The study population consists of adolescents aged 15-19 in Tehran, Iran, of whom 503 were selected from high schools in four districts in Tehran using a convenience sampling method. They were asked to complete four questionnaires, including the persistence scale, emotion regulation inventory, emotional autonomy scale, and intrinsic motivation inventory. Data analysis was done by SEM using Amos software, version 22 and SPSS software, version 22.

The emotion regulation styles, including dysregulated (β=-0.204, P=0.001), suppressive (β=0.124, P=0.040), and integrative (β=0.359, P=0.001) had a significant relationship with goal pursuit in adolescents. Based on the Bootstrap test results, the dysregulated (β=-0.054, P=0.007) and integrative (β=0.094, P=0.001) emotion regulation styles had an indirect relationship with goal pursuit through intrinsic motivation. Self-determination had no significant relationship with goal pursuit (P=0.137, β=0.077).

In Iranian adolescents, the integrative emotion regulation style can positively affect goal pursuit by promoting intrinsic motivation. Therefore, in interventions for improving goal pursuit in adolescents, this emotion regulation style should be considered to promote their intrinsic motivation and persistence in goal pursuit.