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

64 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

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 The Authors

Funding

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

Funders
John I. and Patricia J. Buster Endowment

Keywords

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

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Social Psychology
General Psychology

Access to Document

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.",

keywords = "Educational goals, Occupational goals, Self-control, Self-discipline, Self-regulation",

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note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2018 The Authors",

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doi = "10.1016/j.jrp.2018.12.006",

language = "English",

volume = "78",

pages = "215--226",

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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

Y1 - 2019/2

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - Educational goals

KW - Occupational goals

KW - Self-control

KW - Self-discipline

KW - Self-regulation

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U2 - 10.1016/j.jrp.2018.12.006

DO - 10.1016/j.jrp.2018.12.006

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85059174007

SN - 0092-6566

VL - 78

SP - 215

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JO - Journal of Research in Personality

JF - Journal of Research in Personality

ER -

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

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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Cite this