Learning goals and personality traits as predictors of the well-being of cadets in a police institution
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate whether academic motivation and personality traits predict the welfare of police cadets, while analyzing differences in well-being according to sex and age. The sample consisted of 411 cadets with an average age of 24.08 years (SD = 3.18) belonging to a state police institution. The instruments used were BFI (Big Five Inventory), EMA – M (Learning Goal Scale), MHC– SF (Mental Health Continuum - Short Form) and a sociodemographic questionnaire. The results obtained showed that the greatest positive predictors of well-being were extraversion (t = 3.412; ß = .157; p < .01); pleasantness (t = 2,901; ß =.144; p < .01); responsibility (t = 3.851; ß = 195; p < .01) and goals in relation to learning and mastery of knowledge (t = 2.446; ß = .103; p <.05). Similarly, it was found that the only negative predictor was the personality trait neuroticism (t = -3.555; ß = -.184; p < .01). Likewise, it was found that there are statistically significant differences in the social well-being (t(410 ) = 1.816, p < .05) between men and women. Finally, it was found that the psychological well-being varied according to age (F(2,411), p < .05) where the older age group presented higher levels of psychological well-being. In terms of total well-being (F(2,411), p < .05), it was found that the greater the age, the greater the total well-being. In view of the results obtained, it can be affirmed that both the personality and the motivation for learning are variables that predict the total well-being of the students. Likewise, it is recorded that levels of well-being vary according to gender and age.
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