Everyday stressors and sense of purpose: The role of stressor‐related opportunities for goal pursuit

Objective
This study examined whether everyday stressor occurrence is associated with lower sense of purpose, and whether this association depends on stressor-related goal opportunities, the Big Five personality traits, or trait purpose.

Methods
Data came from the Daily Experiences and Health Study (N = 236, ages 25–87). Participants reported on stressor occurrence and their feelings of purposefulness 4× per day in a 14-day ecological momentary assessment study. Multilevel analyses examined the within-person link between stressor occurrence and sense of purpose, including the Big Five and trait purpose as moderators.

Results
At the momentary level, sense of purpose was lower after encountering a stressor compared to stressor-free moments; however, this association was attenuated after accounting for negative affect. Importantly, stressor-related goal opportunity modulated this association. Low goal-opportunity stressors were associated with lower purpose, whereas high goal-opportunity stressors were associated with slightly higher purpose after accounting for negative affect. The Big Five and trait purpose did not moderate these associations.

Conclusion
Sense of purpose tends to be sensitive to the occurrence of stressful events, but the relationship may depend on whether the stressor is appraised as an opportunity to pursue important goals.