Intra-Individual Value Change in Adulthood: A Systematic Literature Review of Longitudinal Studies Assessing Schwartz’s Value Orientations

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Authors

Values guide people in their lives as overarching principles of judgments and decision making. Focusing on Schwartz's circumplex value model, the present work is the first systematic literature review (SLR) to comparatively synthesize the empirical evidence regarding stability and change of values in adulthood. Besides understanding the extent of value change, the aim of this review is to reveal the conditions under which values change. The search procedure and screening revealed 19 publications reporting empirical studies on 25 adult samples containing at least two measurements of Schwartz's values in respondents. Results suggest moderate to high rank-order stabilities of values, even through potentially life-changing transitions. There is evidence of small changes, rarely consistent with theoretical predictions or cross-sectional findings. Preliminary experimental evidence shows that values can be changed with interventions. We identify considerable gaps in knowledge about value change and propose promising avenues for further research.

Translated title of the contributionIntra-individuelle Wertveränderungen im Erwachsenenalter: Ein Systematisches Literaturreview längsschnittlicher Studien zur Messung von Schwartz' Werteorientierungen
Original languageEnglish
JournalZeitschrift für Psychologie
Volume227
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)42-52
Number of pages11
ISSN2190-8370
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.2019

    Research areas

  • Psychology
  • Schwartz's value theory, longitudinal studies, value change, value profiles, value stability