The Relationship between Presence of Meaning, Search for Meaning, and Subjective Well-Being: A Three-Level Meta-Analysis based on the Meaning in Life Questionnaire

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Bin Li ◽  
Kai Dou
Keyword(s):  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Life Meaning ◽  
Search For Meaning ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cross Sectional Studies ◽  
Meaning In Life Questionnaire

Meaning in life can be understood as how much people experience life meaning, i.e., presence of meaning (POM) and how intensely they seek life meaning, i.e., search for meaning (SFM). Previous research has related POM and SFM to the subjective well-being (SWB) of individuals, but the findings are inconsistent. This meta-analysis investigates the overall relationship between POM/SFM and SWB by examining previous studies that have used Steger et al.’s (2006) Meaning in Life Questionnaire to assess POM and SFM. Results of 148 studies, reporting 726 effect sizes (N=92,169), suggest the effect size for the “POM–SWB” relationship is close to medium (ESz=0.418, p<.001, 95% CI=[0.390,0.446]). The effect is larger in life satisfaction and cross-sectional studies. The effect size for the “SFM–SWB” association is small (ESz=-.121, p<.001, 95% CI=[-0.155,-0.817]), with the effect being larger for negative affect, cross-sectional studies, and older participants. Interestingly, SFM is positively related to SWB for participants from countries with a high collectivism index, suggesting a stronger association for people from such countries. This study shows a robust link between presence of life meaning and greater SWB, and that while searching for life meaning may be adverse to SWB, the effect is small and conditional.

scholarly journals Inspiration, meaning in life and gratitude as predictors of subjective well-being in the case of a group of students

2021 ◽  
Vol 11(73) ◽  
pp. 86-94
Author(s):  
Beatrice Adriana Balgiu ◽  
◽  
Ruxandra Sfeatcu ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Search For Meaning ◽  
Negative Experience ◽  
Single Item ◽  
Meaning In Life Questionnaire ◽  
Negative Predictor

The aim of the present study is to determine the prediction level of gratitude, meaning in life, and inspiration on Subjective Well-being (SWB). 325 undergraduates (149 males and 176 females) with Mage=19,29 (S.D.=1,40) participated in the study. In order to measure the respective concepts, we used the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience (SPANE), the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ), the Inspiration Scale (IS), and Single-item measures for life satisfaction and gratitude. The study used descriptive, correlational, and regression analyses. The results of the regression analyses showed that gratitude accounts for most of the SWB variance. The presence of meaning affects SWB positively, while the search for meaning is a negative predictor of SWB. Inspiration frequency is one of the weak predictors of SWB, while inspiration intensity is not a significant predictor of SWB. The results are discussed within the context of the existing literature.

Meaning in Life in Earlier and Later Older-Adulthood: Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Correlates of the Meaning in Life Questionnaire

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (10) ◽  
pp. 1270-1294 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Hallford ◽  
D. Mellor ◽  
R. A. Cummins ◽  
M. P. McCabe
Keyword(s):  
Psychosocial Development ◽  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Psychological Resources ◽  
Search For Meaning ◽  
Older Adulthood ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Meaning In Life Questionnaire

Objective: To validate the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ) in earlier and later older-adulthood, and examine its correlates. Method: Participants in earlier ( n = 341, M age = 68.5) and later older-adulthood ( n = 341, M age = 78.6) completed the MLQ and other measures. Confirmatory multigroup analysis, correlations, and regression models were conducted. Results: A two-factor (presence and search), eight-item model of the MLQ had a good fit and was age-invariant. Presence and search for meaning were largely unrelated. Meaning was associated with life satisfaction, well-being across a range of domains, and psychological resources. Searching for meaning correlated negatively with these variables, but to a lesser degree in later older-adulthood. Discussion: The MLQ is valid in older-adulthood. Meaning in life is psychologically adaptive in older-adulthood. Searching for meaning appears less important, especially in later older-adulthood. Findings are discussed in the context of aging and psychosocial development.

Reliability Generalization of the Meaning in Life Questionnaire Subscales

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (7) ◽  
pp. 837-851
Author(s):  
Brandie Semma ◽  
Maria Henri ◽  
Wen Luo ◽  
Christopher G. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Reliability Generalization ◽  
Life Measure ◽  
Reliability Estimates ◽  
Sample Characteristics ◽  
Meaning In Life Questionnaire

Meaning in life is a psychological construct linked to several subjective well-being indicators. One commonly used meaning in life measure is the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ), a 10-item self-report measure that assesses perceived presence of and search for meaning in life. Despite its extensive use, the variability of the questionnaire’s reliability across samples has not been examined. This study synthesized reliability evidence for the Meaning in Life Questionnaire from 232 articles. Average reliabilities for both subscales were greater than .85. Results indicated that, though, overall, the MLQ is highly reliable across samples, the questionnaire’s reliability varies as a function of several sample characteristics. Furthermore, we found some evidence of reporting bias. Implications for the conceptualization of meaning in life across diverse samples and potential underreporting of low reliability estimates are discussed.

scholarly journals Meaning in Life, Subjective Well-Being, Happiness and Coping at Physicians Attending Balint Groups: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 3455
Author(s):  
Ovidiu Popa-Velea ◽  
Alexandra Ioana Mihăilescu ◽  
Liliana Veronica Diaconescu ◽  
Iuliana Raluca Gheorghe ◽  
Adela Magdalena Ciobanu
Keyword(s):  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Subjective Happiness ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Brief Cope ◽  
Balint Groups ◽  
And Coping ◽  
The Impact

This study aimed to measure the scores of well-being, subjective happiness, sense of meaning, and coping in Romanian physicians and the potential impact on them of systematically attending Balint groups. Eighty participants (33 men, 47 women, mean age 38.90, SD 9.73) were included in the study. From them, 43 had systematically attended a Balint group in the last two years, while the others represented the controls. All participants were administered the Meaning of Life Questionnaire, the Job-related Affective Well-being Scale, the Brief COPE Scale, and the Subjective Happiness Scale. t-tests and MANOVA were used to compare the group scores and the impact of Balint training on the study variables. Results showed that Balintian participants had a lower use of denial and self-blame and were more oriented towards the seeking of emotional and instrumental support. They also reported higher scores in high pleasurable-low arousal emotions, positive emotions, and in the perception of the presence of meaning. Still, when considering other additional predictors (gender, age), the distinct impact of Balint training remained limited to the preference for certain coping mechanisms. These results could stimulate the use of Balint groups as a tool for the physician’s formation programs.

Meaning in Life and Substance Use

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.

The Influence of Life-and-Death Views on the Well-Being of Chinese Tujia Ethnic Adolescents

2020 ◽  
pp. 003022282096123
Author(s):  
Ying Ge ◽  
Jie Luo ◽  
Jay L. Wenger ◽  
Hai-yan Xiang
Keyword(s):  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Life And Death ◽  
Life Scale ◽  
Meaning In Life Questionnaire ◽  
Different Cultures

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how a person’s view of life and death might influence various aspects of well-being. Similar studies have been conducted with adolescents in different cultures, but not with Chinese Tujia ethnic adolescents. Tujia adolescents ( N = 309) completed the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ), the Death Attitude Profile (DAP), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the Happiness Inventory (HI). Results indicated that Chinese Tujia ethnic adolescents maintain a relatively positive life-and-death view and overall well-being. Meaning in life and death attitude both corresponded with overall well-being. A dominance analysis indicated that meaning in life can predict the well-being of a person better than a death attitude. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

scholarly journals Does Reflection on Everyday Events Enhance Meaning in Life and Well-Being among Emerging Adults? Self-Efficacy as Mediator between Meaning in Life and Well-Being

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (18) ◽  
pp. 9714
Author(s):  
Natalia Czyżowska ◽  
Ewa Gurba
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Control Group Design ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Meaning In Life Questionnaire ◽  
Experimental Group

In recent years, the issue of the meaning in life has aroused particularly great interest in researchers considering the question of whether and how, using simple interventions, outside the therapeutic office, the sense of meaning in life and well-being can be strengthened. The aim of this study was to explore whether interventions based on reflection on everyday, stressful situations can contribute to fostering the sense of meaning in life and psychological well-being among emerging adults. Additionally, we aimed to explore relationships between the above-mentioned constructs and self-efficacy. The research focuses on emerging adults, who, as statistics show, are the most vulnerable among all adults to various mental problems. A pretest–posttest control group design was used. The study involved 80 emerging adults (56 women and 24 men) who were randomly assigned to the experimental group, which completed specially prepared diaries for a week, or the control group. Participants completed the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, the Generalised Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Ryff Scales of Psychological Well-Being twice. In the experimental group, significant differences were noted between pretest and posttest in psychological well-being, especially in the area of relationships with others (Mpretest = 59.3; Mposttest = 65.07; t(39) = −11.40; p = 0.001) and purpose in life (Mpretest = 54.85; Mposttest = 58.21; t(39) = −3.15; p = 0.003), as well as self-efficacy (Mpretest = 28.06; Mposttest = 29.60; t(39) = −2.82; p = 0.007). There were no differences in the level of meaning in life. The analysis carried out showed that self-efficacy mediates the relationship between presence of meaning in life and psychological well-being (the Aroian test: z = 4.48; SE = 0.11; p = 0.0007).

scholarly journals Positive Psychology in Times of Pandemic—Time Perspective as a Moderator of the Relationship between Resilience and Meaning in Life

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (24) ◽  
pp. 13340
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Lasota ◽  
Justyna Mróz
Keyword(s):  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Time Perspective ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Measurement Scale ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Time Perspectives ◽  
Therapeutic Services ◽  
The Relationship

Resilience and meaning in life are significant indicators of psychological well-being and health, which are particularly important in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, they have been explored by a growing number of scientists. There has been a research gap, however, that fails to show that time perspectives also have a significant impact on the perception and building of different life aspects. The current study investigated the associations between resilience, time perspectives and meaning in life and examined the moderating role of time perspective in the relationship between resilience and meaning in life. Methods: Participants of this cross-sectional study were 363 adults aged 18-70. Resilience Measurement Scale (SPP-25), the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI), and the Purpose in Life Questionnaire (PIL) were used. Results: The findings confirmed a positive relationship between resilience, meaning in life, and positive time perspectives (Present Hedonistic and Future) and a negative link with Past Negative and Present Fatalistic perspectives. The linear regression analyses showed that Past Negative and Past Positive perspectives significantly moderated the relationship between resilience and meaning in life. The moderating effect was also confirmed in the case of past time perspectives only. Conclusions: The findings indicate the relevance of positive resources, such as resilience and positive perception of the past, in keeping the meaning in life. Understanding the effect of psychological strengths in the context of the pandemic time can be a key to providing intervention and therapeutic services fostering mental health and well-being.

scholarly journals Italian Validation of the Meaning in Life Questionnaire: Factor Structure, Reliability, Convergent, and Discriminant Validity

2019 ◽  
Vol 123 (2) ◽  
pp. 578-600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Negri ◽  
Marta Bassi ◽  
Antonella Delle Fave
Keyword(s):  
Factor Structure ◽  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Factor Analyses ◽  
Convergent And Discriminant Validity ◽  
Italian Context ◽  
Meaning In Life Questionnaire ◽  
Item Scale

Several studies highlighted the role of meaning in life as a major component of well-being and researchers have developed different measures to assess the features of this construct. In the present study, the psychometric properties of the Meaning in Life Questionnaire were investigated in the Italian context. The Meaning in Life Questionnaire is a 10-item scale measuring perceived presence of and search for meaning in life, conceptualized as two separate factors. The former refers to perceived meaning and purpose in life, the latter to the active commitment to find meaning in life. Participants were 464 adults aged 20 to 60 years ( M = 39.34; SD = 10.86; 54.7% women). Factor structure was inspected through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses using a split-sample approach. Internal consistency was assessed through Cronbach’s alphas, interitem and item-scale correlations. Convergent and discriminant validity with measures of well-being, personality, mental health, and physical health were also evaluated. Factor analyses supported the adequacy of the Meaning in Life Questionnaire two-factor structure in the Italian context; internal consistency measures corroborated the measure’s reliability; and correlation matrix coefficients sustained convergent and discriminant validity. Results showed that the Meaning in Life Questionnaire is a valid and reliable measure to assess meaning in life and its relationship with well-being within the Italian context.

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