To grit or not to grit, that is the question!

Alexander T. Vazsonyi; Albert J. Ksinan; Gabriela Ksinan Jiskrova; Jakub Mikuška; Magda Javakhishvili; Guangyi Cui

doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2018.12.006

To grit or not to grit, that is the question!

Alexander T. Vazsonyi, Albert J. Ksinan, Gabriela Ksinan Jiskrova, Jakub Mikuška, Magda Javakhishvili, Guangyi Cui

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

The current study tested the validity of grit as a non-cognitive construct related to, yet distinct from self-control. Data were collected from N = 1907 adults spanning the life-course (53.1% female, M age = 41.4 years). Associations between grit and present and past goals were very similar to ones observed with self-control. Extensive model tests using structural equation modeling provided evidence of substantial overlap between these two constructs, calling into question the conceptual and empirical distinctiveness of grit vis-à-vis self-control, as well as the importance of grit as a unique and independent characteristic salient for the pursuit and achievement of long-term goals. This finding was consistent and invariant across adult developmental periods. Study implications for grit-investment are discussed.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	215-226
Number of pages	12
Journal	Journal of Research in Personality
Volume	78
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2018.12.006
State	Published - Feb 2019

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The current study was supported in part by the John I. and Patricia J. Buster Endowment to the first author.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 The Authors

Keywords

Educational goals
Occupational goals
Self-control
Self-discipline
Self-regulation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Social Psychology
Psychology (all)

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10.1016/j.jrp.2018.12.006

Cite this

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title = "To grit or not to grit, that is the question!",

abstract = "The current study tested the validity of grit as a non-cognitive construct related to, yet distinct from self-control. Data were collected from N = 1907 adults spanning the life-course (53.1% female, M age = 41.4 years). Associations between grit and present and past goals were very similar to ones observed with self-control. Extensive model tests using structural equation modeling provided evidence of substantial overlap between these two constructs, calling into question the conceptual and empirical distinctiveness of grit vis-{\`a}-vis self-control, as well as the importance of grit as a unique and independent characteristic salient for the pursuit and achievement of long-term goals. This finding was consistent and invariant across adult developmental periods. Study implications for grit-investment are discussed.",

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author = "Vazsonyi, {Alexander T.} and Ksinan, {Albert J.} and {Ksinan Jiskrova}, Gabriela and Jakub Miku{\v s}ka and Magda Javakhishvili and Guangyi Cui",

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AU - Vazsonyi, Alexander T.

AU - Ksinan, Albert J.

AU - Ksinan Jiskrova, Gabriela

AU - Mikuška, Jakub

AU - Javakhishvili, Magda

AU - Cui, Guangyi

PY - 2019/2

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KW - Self-discipline

KW - Self-regulation

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To grit or not to grit, that is the question!

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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Cite this