Intrinsic Motivation in Personally Expressive Activities and Well-Being of University Students: The Role of Life Project

Emerging adulthood is a developmental period in which individuals make important decisions about education, career paths, and personal values while developing a clearer sense of identity and future direction. University students, in particular, are actively exploring who they are and what they want to become, while also facing academic pressures and stress that may affect their well-being. Identity development during this stage is reflected not only in the life decisions students make but also in their everyday activities. When students engage in activities that reflect their personal interests, values, and aspirations, these activities may feel personally meaningful and intrinsically motivating. Such experiences may provide feedback about their preferences and competencies and help them move toward meaningful future goals. These personally meaningful goals may play an important role in how students stay motivated and how they experience their daily activities. The present study focuses on two related processes. First, it examines whether life project involvement explains the mechanism through which intrinsic motivation is related to well-being. Life project involvement refers to the degree to which students actively invest effort in pursuing their long-term goals and future plans. Second, the study examines whether alignment between students’ daily activities and their life goals strengthens this relationship. The expected outcome is that higher intrinsic motivation in personally expressive activities will be associated with better well-being among students. In addition, life project involvement is expected to help explain this relationship. When students engage in activities that reflect who they are, they may feel more connected to their long-term goals, and this involvement may contribute to greater psychological fulfillment and well-being. By examining these processes, the study aims to clarify which motivational and goal-related factors support students’ well-being and provide insight into how universities might better promote meaningful engagement and positive development.