The relationship between search for meaning in life and symptoms of depression and anxiety: Key roles of the presence of meaning in life and life events among Chinese adolescents

Abstract

BackgroundMeaning in life has been associated with greater mental health. However, previous findings are inconsistent regarding how the search for meaning in life (SML) is related to mental health issues such as symptoms of depression and anxiety. This study proposed and tested a new model to explain how the relationship between SML and symptoms of depression as well as anxiety can be moderated by life events and mediated by the presence of meaning in life (PML). MethodsMiddle and high school students (N = 1,705, 836 girls and 869 boys; Mage = 14.37, SD = 1.70) were administrated the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and the State Anxiety Inventory. ResultsResults showed that the relationship between SML and symptoms of depression (or anxiety) depended on the impact of the life events experienced by the individual. In general, SML served as a beneficial or unrelated factor for those experiencing low impactful life events, but as a harmful factor for those experiencing high impactful life events. For those experiencing middle impactful life events, SML had a positive direct effect, but a negative indirect effect (through PML) on symptoms of depression (or anxiety). LimitationsData are cross-sectional, and the present study examined only middle school students, which may limit generalizability. ConclusionsThe findings indicate a complex relationship between SML and mental health. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other related problems may be diminished by applying training programs and policies aimed at increasing PML and reducing negative life events.