Goal pursuit during the three stages of the migration process

Migration poses a strong contextual change for individuals and it necessitates the adjustment of goals and aspirations. Although goal-related processes seem highly relevant to migration success (e.g., migrant well-being and adjustment), existing research in the area is scattered and lacks an over-arching theoretical framework. By systematically analyzing the current literature on goal pursuit in the migration context, we aim to give an overview of the current state of the field, identify areas that need further research attention, and recommend alternative methodological approaches for future studies. This systematic literature review uses the different stages of the migration process (premigration, during migration, and potential repatriation or onward migration) and the three different goal facets (goal structure, goal process, and goal content) as an organizing framework. Our discussion focuses on the theoretical and methodological implications of our findings. The article demonstrates the need for further research in the field of goal pursuit in the migration context.