Examining Within Level Reciprocal Relations Between Goal Conflict Goal Harmony

Introduction. Goals represent desired future states. Notably, the pursuit of a specific goal may be enhanced (i.e., goal harmony) or hindered (i.e., goal conflict) by other goals a person is pursuing. Goal harmony and conflict, despite seeming like opposite ends of a continuum, instead are weakly, negatively associated, suggesting that they likely represent distinct constructs. It is unknown how goal conflict and harmony relate at the within level of analysis.Method. The current research presents a novel longitudinal investigation (N = 299) into the dynamics of goal conflict and harmony utilizing a multilevel random-intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM). Results. At the within level (i.e., goal-level), a RI-CLPM was specified, indicating that goal harmony negatively predicted goal conflict at the subsequent time point and vice versa. At the between level (i.e., person-level), goal conflict and goal harmony were not associated. Goal harmony and conflict were investigated in relation to subjective well-being, meaning, and identity. Goal conflict is negatively related to well-being and identity whereas goal harmony is positively associated with meaning and identity.Conclusion. This study suggests the importance of examining goal conflict and harmony at both the within and between levels of analysis, given the diverging findings at each level.