Meaning in Life: A Qualitative Inquiry into the Life of Young Adults

Research on happiness seems to be blooming in current academics. Psychology's engagement with psychopathology left no space for this concept to come to the fore. With rapid changes in the academic world, together with the shift in the focus towards more positive concepts has resulted in a renewed interest in the concept of happiness. The domain of qualitative research seeks to explore the diverse human experiences and the present study uses this domain to understand the subjective meaning of happiness in adolescent students. Using a qualitative approach, twenty adolescents were asked to share their life experiences using a semi structured interview schedule. A grounded theory analysis revealed that happiness forms a core concern for an individual where it depends not only on the cultural norm involving an individual where social relationships form an important part, but also goals and aims (s) he/she wishes to achieve in life. It exists in temporality but is impacted by the larger dimension of meaning in life which is relatively stable and covers a huge expanse of an individual's existence. Finding happiness in life involves both personal goals such as self growth and attainment of peace, and also professional goals like fulfilment of one's academic aim. Happiness is also seen as being impacted by an individual's past happenings, belief in selfworth and social responsibility. Analysis of the findings thus points to the fact that meaning of happiness varies across individuals, however, the essence remains the same for a given culture. The consideration of the emic approach not only creates sound knowledge, but also leads to a holistic understanding of human affairs.

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Meaning in Life and Substance Use

Journal of Humanistic Psychology ◽

10.1177/0022167816687674 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 60 (1) ◽

pp. 3-19

Author(s):

Matthew Csabonyi ◽

Lisa J. Phillips

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Young Adults ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Drug Use ◽

Meaning In Life ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

Cigarette Use ◽

Search For Meaning ◽

Lower Alcohol ◽

Meaning In Life Questionnaire

Viktor Frankl theorized that an absence of meaning in one’s life can result in boredom and apathy—the “existential vacuum”—and attempts to avoid or “escape” the vacuum can include short-acting distracting behaviors. This study investigated whether the presence of meaning (PM) or the search for meaning are associated with alcohol, drug, and cigarette use by young adults, and whether boredom mediates those relationships. Hundred and seventy-six young adults completed the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, and provided information about cigarette and illicit drug use over the preceding year. The results partly support Frankl’s model: higher PM was associated with lower alcohol/other drug use and boredom mediated those relationships, but PM was not related to cigarette smoking. Contrary to Frankl’s model, no relationship was found between search for meaning and alcohol, drug, or cigarette use. This suggests that psychological interventions that assist individuals who use drugs or alcohol to identify meaning or purpose in their lives might reduce levels of drug and alcohol use. The process of searching for meaning may not have substantial direct impact on levels of substance use, but once some meaning was established there may be decreased impetus to continue using drugs and alcohol.

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Family Bullying in Childhood: Consequences for Young Adults

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/0886260520934450 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 088626052093445

Author(s):

Ellen W. deLara

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Data Storage ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

Adult Life ◽

Qualitative Inquiry ◽

Qualitative Description ◽

Naturalistic Inquiry ◽

Behavioral Issues ◽

Peer Bullying ◽

Multi Phase

This study investigated childhood family bullying and explored any ongoing impacts for young adults. Research has demonstrated that peer bullying leads to contemporaneous poor consequences and some inquiries establish adverse effects of peer bullying lasting into adult life. However, family bullying is much less studied and the effects are not well understood. While there is urgency to intervene in peer bullying, this does not extend to family bullying. The aims of this inquiry were to discover what types of childhood bullying occur in families, any ongoing consequences, and how young adults define bullying. The study was a retrospective qualitative inquiry with a purposive sample. There were 43 participants: the majority were female, mean age 24.3 years, and 27% represented minorities. A qualitative description approach based in naturalistic inquiry was employed for data analysis to understand the lived experiences of young adults. NVivo 11 was used for data storage and analysis. A multi-phase coding process was utilized along with thematic analysis. Types of family bullying and participants’ definitions of bullying were generated. Thematic analysis revealed lasting consequences in (a) low self-esteem and shame, (b) eating disorders, and (c) behavioral issues and relationship problems. Outcomes indicate the importance of further research on childhood family bullying as it affects young adult life and the need for researchers as well as practitioners to understand its lifelong impact.

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A Qualitative Study of Young Adults Experience With a Reminiscence-Based Therapy for Depressive Symptoms

Emerging Adulthood ◽

10.1177/2167696818769175 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 279-290 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

D. J. Hallford ◽

D. Mellor ◽

M. E. Burgat

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Life Story ◽

Qualitative Inquiry ◽

Reminiscence Therapy ◽

Cognitive Reframing ◽

Self Worth ◽

Age Appropriate ◽

Specific Factors

Reminiscence therapy is a novel psychosocial approach to treating depressive symptoms in young adults. We present the first qualitative inquiry into young adults’ experience of reminiscence-based therapy, aimed at exploring attitudes toward this approach and their view of processes underpinning positive change. Help-seeking young adults (mean age = 20.8, SD = 1.6) with at least moderate depressive symptoms were interviewed following a course of cognitive-reminiscence therapy. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The intervention was reported to be a positive experience that led to positive outcomes. Change was attributed to common therapy factors and specific factors of cognitive reframing, increasing awareness of a broader life story, learning from the past to feel more confident and able to cope, and strengthened self-worth and self-acceptance. These findings provide unique insight into young adults’ experience with reminiscence-based treatment for depressive symptoms and indicate it is generally acceptable, useful, and age-appropriate for them.

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Enhancing Meaning in Life and Psychological Well-Being Among a European Cohort of Young Adults via a Gratitude Intervention

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.751081 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Natalia Czyżowska ◽

Ewa Gurba

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

General Health ◽

Meaning In Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Gratitude Intervention ◽

Experimental Group

Background: Strengthening the sense of meaning in life and psychological well-being brings benefits for mental health. The group particularly vulnerable to mental problems are young adults, therefore the aim of our research was to explore how a gratitude intervention will affect the sense of meaning in life, psychological well-being, general health and perceived stress among them. The research also took into account the issue of expressing gratitude.Method: The study involved 80 young adults (58 women and 22 men) who were randomly assigned to the experimental group that filled out the specially prepared diaries for a week (participants were asked to list three things for which they feel grateful, to whom they are grateful and if and how they expressed their gratitude) or the control group. Participants completed the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ), the General Health Questionnaire – 28 (GHQ-28), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Ryff Scales of Psychological Well-Being (PWBS) twice (before and after intervention).Results: In the experimental group significant increases were observed in three areas of psychological well-being: environmental mastery, relationships with others and purpose in life. The significant decrease was also noted in anxiety/insomnia and depression symptoms as well as in perceived stress. There were no differences in the level of meaning in life. There was a positive relationship between expressing gratitude and meaning in life and psychological well-being.Conclusion: Proposed gratitude intervention has the potential to enhance psychological well-being among young adults, however, it may not be effective in enhancing meaning in life.

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Young and motivated for self-care? An interview study with young adults suffering from type 1 diabetes

Clinical Nursing Studies ◽

10.5430/cns.v6n4p36 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 36

Author(s):

Yvonne Hilli ◽

Helena Lööf ◽

Josefina Malmberg ◽

Detlef Hess

Keyword(s):

Type 1 Diabetes ◽

Young Adults ◽

Meaning In Life ◽

Self Care ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Main Category ◽

Number Of Children ◽

Descriptive Approach

Background: Europe has the largest number of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus, 286,000 in total. One major goal in diabetes care is to minimise the risk of complications among patients by glycaemic control, medical check-ups and education to support patients’ self-management and quality of life. The aim of the current study was designed to explore young adults’ with type 1 diabetes and their motivation for self-care.Methods: The present study had a qualitative design with a descriptive approach. A purposeful sample of eight (n = 8) young adults with type 1 diabetes and HbA1c > 70 mmol/mol were interviewed. A semi-structured interview with four open-ended questions was chosen as the method. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis.Results: The results revealed factors both promoting and hindering self-care. The first main category was “Factors promoting motivation for self-care” with three sub-categories: (1) feeling safe and getting support, (2) experiencing control over own life, and (3) striving for wellbeing and meaning in life. The second main category was “Factors that hindered motivation for self-care” with two sub-categories: (1) feelings of vulnerability, and (2) feeling excluded.Conclusions: According to the results, motivation increases with positive response. Therefore a positive approach is of utmost importance when young adults come to the clinic for check-ups. Trying to always find something positive is of great significance for motivation and self-care. The focus should be on health and good experiences in life.

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Social Marketing Campaign in Tobacco Control (A Comparative Analysis of Indonesia and Taiwan)

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3889/oamjms.2021.5864 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (T4) ◽

pp. 146-150

Author(s):

Yeni Rosilawati ◽

Chi-Ying Chen ◽

Adhianty Nurjanah ◽

Dianita Sugiyo ◽

Shuhui Sophy Cheng

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Young Adult ◽

Marketing Strategy ◽

Social Marketing ◽

Qualitative Inquiry ◽

Product Price ◽

Face To Face ◽

Tobacco Marketing ◽

Safe Life ◽

The Social

BACKGROUND: Concern about the introduction of young adult smoking is increasing, perhaps because young adults have become a major tobacco marketing target. To solve this issue, both Bali and Taiwan have imposed local regulations on smoke-free areas. Concern about the legalization of young adult smoking is increasing, possibly because young adults have become a major marketing target for tobacco. Both Bali and Taiwan have placed local restrictions on smoke-free areas to solve this issue. AIM: This study will analyze the social marketing strategies used to impact young adults in Indonesia and Taiwan focusing specifically on aspects of the social marketing strategy, including channel analysis, market segmentation and consumer analysis, product, price, location and promotion considerations, as well as the implementation and evaluation. METHODS: This research employed a qualitative approach. Qualitative inquiry is a way of analysis by understanding the meaning of individuals or groups in social problems or human problems. The process comprises questions and procedures. Data collection was conducted by face-to-face interviews. The basic data for this paper came from face-to-face interviews with local government officials, local community leaders and members of the NGO community. RESULTS: The study found that 4P (Product, Price, Place, and Promotions) with the additional +2P (Partnership and Policy) elements of social marketing are employed by social marketing in Bali and Taiwan. The product refers to the principle of a safe life, in which it is easier to avoid than to cure. Price relates to the shift in behavior and the avoidance of early smokers, from smoking to stopping. The distribution networks used in Bali concentrate more on support for families and neighborhoods. CONCLUSION: The social marketing strategy using 4P (Product, Price, Place, and Promotion) and additional +2P (Partnership and Policy) elements is an effective model both in Taiwan and Bali. The commodity on the market is the concept of a safe life, where prevention is better than cure. The price is the shift in action, from smoking to stopping, and the prevention of early smoking. The two countries also include other parties, such as schools and community groups, to collaborate.

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Coronavirus Stress and Resilience: Exploring the Role of Hope and Meaning in in Life Undergraduate Students

International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies ◽

10.52380/ijpes.2021.8.4.575 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 129-138

Author(s):

Abdullah MERT ◽

Gökmen ARSLAN ◽

Özlem TAGAY

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Young Adults ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Meaning In Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Public University ◽

Negative Effects ◽

High Motivation ◽

The Relationship ◽

Health And Well Being

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether meaning in life and hope mediate the association between coronavirus stress and resilience in university students. The participants were 376 (68% female) undergraduate students attending a public university in Turkey. The age of the students ranged from 18 to 38 years (Mage = 20.67, SD = 3.62). The results of the present study suggest that the meaning of life and hope attenuate the negative effects of stress on hope and resilience. Specifically, hope emerged as an important mechanism for the relationship between meaning in life and resilience. These findings provide insights into the relationships between coronavirus stress, hope, sense of life, and resilience in young adults during the period COVID -19. Hope and sense of life may function as protective factors to promote mental health and well-being by increasing an individual's ability to recover from stressful situations with high motivation and in creative ways. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether meaning in life and hope mediate the relationship between coronavirus stress and resilience in university students. The participants were 376 (68% female) students attending a public university in Turkey. The age of the students ranged from 18 to 38 years (Mage = 20.67, SD = 3.62). The results of the study showed that the meaning of life and hope mitigated the negative effects of stress on hope and resilience. Specifically, hope was found to be an important mechanism for the relationship between meaning in life and resilience. These findings shed light on the relationships between coronavirus stress, hope, sense of life, and resilience in young adults during COVID -19. Hope and sense of life may act as protective factors to promote mental health and well-being by increasing individuals' ability to recover from stressful situations with high motivation and in creative ways.

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