Abstract
The concept of life meaning and purpose is inherently developmentally referenced. We know that for adults, life meaning is indicated by a driving purpose that unifies different aspects of life, is consistent over time, and adds meaning or value to others. Adolescents may or may not have a clear sense of meaning and purpose, and by virtue of their developmental stage, are more likely to be in a search for such knowledge/experience. Searches for meaning carry risks and benefits, particularly at a stage where substantial transitions occur, including movement into upper-level schools, new performance expectations, the onset of puberty, “dating” and related dyadic relationships, and occupational change. In this chapter we explore developmental theory and research on adolescent meaning/purpose in life and focus on the role of parents and peers in integrating adolescent stories to make meaning across these transitions.
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