TY - JOUR TI - The relationship between purpose classification, purpose engagement, and purpose commitment DO - https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/t3-evjr-5180 PY - 2018 AB - Empirical and theoretical research on adolescent purpose is limited. This study looked at several dimensions of purpose--classification, engagement, and commitment--that a sample of 124 7th and 8th grade students from an urban-based New Jersey middle school articulated in the form of written Purpose Essays. Students did not significantly differ on their Purpose Classification, Purpose Engagement, or Purpose Commitment, by grade, gender, or ethnicity. Additionally, their Purpose Commitment, as measured by the Modified Purpose Scale and Modified Short Grit Scale, did not differ by Purpose Classification (i.e., One Purpose, Parallel Purpose, Integrated Purpose, No Purpose). However, students who described themselves as engaging with their purpose scored higher on Purpose Commitment than students who did not indicate Purpose Engagement. Limitations and implications of this study, as well as suggestions for future research, are included in the discussion section. KW - Psychology KW - Meaning (Psychology) KW - Adolescent psychology LA - eng ER -