Quadripartite existential meaning among Chinese: Internal conceptual structure and reciprocating relationship with psychological flexibility and inflexibility

Abstract

Purpose, comprehension/coherence, and significance have been identified as three core subcomponents of Meaning in life (MIL), but significance has also been further divided into internal and external value. The current study aimed to examine the internal structure of MIL components and explore their associations with psychological flexibility (PF) and psychological inflexibility (PI), both of which are independently associated with well-being. Study 1 conducted a network analysis of MIL components among 393 Chinese college student (mean age = 20.24). Study 2 conducted a two-wave cross-lagged analysis among another 447 young adults (mean age = 31.19). Results revealed that the four MIL components were highly associated, and purpose seemed to play a central role. Moreover, purpose and PF/PI had a reciprocative relationship over time: T1 purpose predicted T2 PF and PI; T1 PF and PI predicted T2 purpose. T1 PF and PI also predicted the other three MIL components at T2, but not the other way around. The current findings shed new light on the understanding of MIL internal structure. It also revealed that purpose and PF/PI are reciprocative constructs, possibly through the mechanisms of the Eudaimonic Activity Model and the mindfulness-to-meaning process. Theoretical and clinical implications were also discussed.