Abstract
This study examined how different patterns of sources of meaning in life impact the psychosocial adaptation of older adults. A total of 120 (62 women and 58 men) community-residing older adults completed self-report measures of sources of meaning in life, physical health, life satisfaction, depression, personality, existential regrets, attitudes toward aging, and attitudes toward life. Cluster analysis of sources of meaning revealed four distinct meaning orientations: self-transcendent ( n = 32), collectivistic ( n = 24), individualistic ( n = 34), and self-preoccupied ( n = 30). MANCOVA analysis of the four groups, controlling for age, marital status, education, and financial satisfaction, revealed a strong multivariate main effect for meaning orientation. No statistically significant gender and Gender × Meaning orientation interaction effects were found. Older adults, who derive meaning from self-transcendent sources, are more extraverted, open to experience, agreeable, and conscientious; perceive greater purpose and coherence in life; feel more in control in directing their lives; express a stronger desire to get more out of life; and are less depressed compared with those who derive meaning through pursuing self-serving interests without any real commitment to personal, interpersonal, or societal development. The implications of the findings for positive aging are discussed.
Highlights
In recent years, there has been increasing research activity in the study of personal meaning across the life span (e.g., Reker & Chamberlain, 2000; Wong & Fry, 1998)
These findings suggest that individuals develop personal meaning orientations that individually and collectively contribute to positive psychosocial functioning
Based on Frankl’s (1959) conviction that the full meaning of life can only be achieved by transcending self-interests and on Rokeach’s (1973) hierarchy of values in which certain values hold greater significance than others, Reker and Wong (1988) proposed a model of sources of personal meaning consisting of four levels: self-preoccupation with hedonistic pleasure and comfort, devotion of time and energy to the realization of personal potential, service to others and commitment to a larger societal or political cause, and entertaining values that transcend individuals and encompass cosmic meaning and ultimate purpose
Summary
There has been increasing research activity in the study of personal meaning across the life span (e.g., Reker & Chamberlain, 2000; Wong & Fry, 1998). Several researchers have observed that individuals extract meaning from a variety of sources, including leisure activities, meeting basic needs, creative activities, personal relationships, personal achievements, personal growth, religious activities, social and political causes, altruism, enduring values and ideals, traditions and culture, and leaving a legacy (DeVogler-Ebersole & Ebersole, 1985; Kaufman, 1987; O’Connor & Chamberlain, 1996; Prager, Savaya, & Bar-Tur, 2000; Reker, 1988, 1996; Reker & Wong, 1988). The implication of such a hierarchical structure is that individuals will be able to integrate the contradictions, conflicts, and absurdities of life by rising above them and viewing them in the context of more comprehensive horizons
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