Personal project level of abstraction and project conflict: relations to psychological well‐being

The study examined the relations between personal project level of abstraction, project conflict and psychological well‐being. The revised Little's Personal Project Inventory was completed by 167 adults around the age of 30, and the amount of conflict experienced between the projects as well as the level of depression and life satisfaction were rated. Level refers to the degree of generality versus specificity of the projects. Project level of abstraction and conflict were negatively related to each other. Abstract projects were appraised as meaningful and they tended to be stressful. Abstract and stressing projects were typical of depression and of single persons. Conflict was interpreted practically, reflecting, for instance, lack of time, and it characterized less meaningful projects. Blue collar workers had less conflicting project systems than groups with middle level or academic education. Project level of abstraction and project conflict were not related to life satisfaction or gender. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.