This study aimed to examine personal goal setting and identity processes in Czech university students. A total of 1,347 Czech emerging adults completed the questionnaires on goal setting, identity commitment, and identity exploration in various life domains (romantic relationship, education, and work). First, our study showed that in our sample, goals related to education were the most prominent. Second, higher identity commitment or exploration in one domain predicted setting the goal in the same domain, supporting the notion of the interrelatedness of identity formation and goal pursuit. Additionally, those who set work-related goals reported fewer goals associated with romantic partnership, marriage, and family, suggesting individual differences in goal preferences. Our study adds to the knowledge of European emerging adults’ identity processes and goal selection processes. Furthermore, our findings stress the holistic approach when investigating personal goals.
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