Meaning Of Life Research Articles

Psychometric Validation of the Purpose in Life Test-Short Form (PIL-SF) in Individuals Diagnosed with Severe Mental Illness.

Meaning in Life (MiL) represents a key variable in mental health models of personal recovery. There is a need for straightforward and concise instruments to assess this construct quantitatively in individuals diagnosed with severe mental illness (SMI). The aim of the present study was to test the psychometric properties of the Purpose in Life Test-Short Form (PIL-SF), a brief self-report measuring the presence of MiL, in a sample of individuals with SMI. The participants were 41 adults (21 women, 51.8% and 20 men, 48.2%) aged 18 to 65 years (M = 50.05; SD = 10.73) with a diagnosis of SMI (schizophrenia, 61%; bipolar disorder, 26.8%; borderline personality disorder, 7.3%; and major depression, 4.9%) and clinically stable. The PIL-SF, Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Oxford Happiness Questionnaire-6 Item (OHQ-6), Engagement in Meaningful Activities Survey (EMAS), and Seeking of Noetic Goals-8 Item (SONG-8) were used. Descriptive analysis, estimation of the internal consistency, and Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the PIL-SF were conducted. Furthermore, correlations between the PIL-SF, SWLS, OHQ-6, EMAS, and SONG-8 were calculated. The PIL-SF showed acceptable internal consistency (ω = 0.81) and an excellent fit as a unidimensional scale (CFI = 1.000, TLI = 1.070, RMSEA = 0.000, SRMR = 0.021), confirming its factorial structure. Regarding construct validity, correlations between the PIL-SF and the SWLS (ρ = 0.54, p < 0.001), the OHQ-6 (ρ = 0.52, p < 0.001), and EMAS (ρ = 0.44, p < 0.005) were positive and significant, whereas the correlations between the PIL-SF and the SONG-8NfM (ρ = -0.35, p < 0.025) were negative and significant. The Spanish version of the PIL-SF appears to be a reliable and valid instrument to measure the presence of MiL in adults with SMI.

Attraction, Aversion, and Meaning in Life

Desire comes in two kinds: attraction and aversion. But contemporary theories of desire have paid little attention to the distinction, and some philosophers doubt that it is psychologically real. I argue that one reason to think there is a difference between the attitudes, and to care about it, is that attractions and aversions contribute in radically different ways to our well-being. Attraction-motivated activity adds to the good life in a way that aversion-driven activity does not. I argue further that the value of attraction-motivated activity is irreducible to the prudential value of pleasure or desire-satisfaction. Rather, it contributes in a distinctive way to the felt meaningfulness of life. In the end, I offer a hypothesis: when we are attracted to something, we see it as (noncomparatively) good; and it is only when we pursue the apparent good that we see ourselves as engaged with the type of value that makes our lives and the universe worth maintaining.

A Naturalist's Defence of Meaning in Religious Pursuits

Abstract Objectivist naturalists about life's meaning regard it as implicating no world but the natural one, and yet as deriving from more than just subjective attitudes or interests. Such naturalists must obviously deny prominent religious conceptions of meaning. But must they further deny that it can be found in religious pursuits? In this article, I defend a negative answer by arguing that, contrary to a prima facie plausible consideration in support of a positive answer, and by many objectivist naturalists’ own lights, the meaning of life can be found in pursuits predicated on false belief.

Subjective Well-Being of Students with Disabilities in Kazakhstan: An Exploration of Practice

This study aims to examine the factors that mediate the impact of physical disabilities on the subjective well-being of learners with disabilities in Kazakhstan. Classified as descriptive research, the study sample consists of students from four to eight Kazakh language classes in Almaty, Kazakhstan, totaling 76 male and female students. Subjective vitality is considered one of the indicators of subjective well-being. The data show that the meaningfulness of life has the strongest correlation with the Vt-d scale. The study findings also reveal that personal efforts, an active role in one's own situation, and a desire for self-development serve as the foundation for harmonious personal development and subjective well-being. An analysis of variance reveals a statistically significant effect of disability on life satisfaction; however, the vast y majority of differences appear at the trend level and/or are caused by the combined impact of gender and disability factors. The study's findings enable the development of recommendations for educational policymakers and specialists working in the disability assistance system.

Change in care needs of people with severe mental illness with and without a non-Western migration background: are their needs equally served throughout treatment?

People with a non-Western migration background living in Western countries are more likely to experience psychiatric problems and have more severe symptoms when they do. Patients of non-Western origin also have more unmet needs for care. This study focuses on differences between Western and non-Western patients in care needs being met during the course of mental health treatment. The care needs of 1099 patients, 39% with and 61% without a non-Western migration background, recorded between 2017 and 2020 in Flexible Assertive Community Treatment, were compared. Non-Western migrants more often received psychotic disorder diagnoses, had more socio-economic problems, met, unmet and total needs for care and experienced less reduction in unmet needs during treatment. This was specifically the case for the rehabilitation areas: daily activities, treatment information, basic education, paid work and meaningful life and recovery. After controlling for socio-economic factors and diagnosis, group differences in change in number of unmet needs were no longer significant. However, the reduction in unmet needs in the areas of basic education, paid work and meaningful life and recovery remained significantly smaller for non-Western patients. Except for the rehabilitation domains of basic education, paidwork and meaningful life, the disadvantages in resolving the care needs of patients with a non-Western migration background do not remain significant after taking into account socioeconomic factors and diagnosis. Collaboration of mental health care and the social domain is warranted to improve socio-economic factors for patients with a non-Western migration background, to better address their unmet needs for care.

Repositioning Vulnerable Youth Through Educational Esports Programmes

A growing number of young Danes experience a drop in well-being as well as there is an increase in diagnoses such as ADHD and autism. These challenges are often linked with school refusal and an increasing need for special education programmes. Since 2007, selected vulnerable youth (age 16-25) have been offered an alternative to regular youth education called Specially Planned Youth Education (Særligt Tilrettelagt Ungdomsuddannelse or STU). More than 30% of students attending STUs are diagnosed with autism or ADHD. The purpose of this paper is to explore the learning potentials of esports educational programmes with this specific target group. The study presents data from an ongoing research project entitled “Esports as learning space and gateway for vulnerable youth at STU”, which is supported by the Velux Foundation and currently in its second year while looking to finalise in 2026. More specifically, we analyse data from ten interviews conducted with vulnerable youth at three STUs, who participate in educational esports activities with commercial multiplayer games, primarily League of Legends, Counter-Strike or Valorant. The interviews concern the students’ gaming interests, their experiences with attending the esports programmes, and their perceived learning outcomes. All interview data have been coded and analysed using thematic analysis. Patterns and recurring themes in the data have been sought after based on questions of how students perceive themselves, what activities they engage in during esports education, and what the potential learning outcomes of the education are. Drawing on Dialogical Self Theory, we analyse and discuss the students’ different I-positions and identify possible transformations made possible through the STU activities, which aim to support students in obtaining an autonomous and meaningful adult life. Our preliminary findings show that students generally have more positive experiences at the STU’s than at their previous education. This includes adopting different I-positions that are more committed to a community than what they experience in their leisure gaming.

Embracing mortality: psychological preparation on death in the guidance of stoic philosophy

Humanity's greatest fear is the inevitability of death, the ultimate fate that all strive to evade. This collective dread of mortality stems from its perceived malevolence. Across the ages, from religious rituals promising salvation to scientific efforts to delay death, human attempts to confront mortality vary widely. Yet death remains inescapable, a natural consequence of life. While religious doctrines offer comfort through ideas of an afterlife, and science views death as a biological challenge to be postponed. Conversely, philosophy advocates for an intellectual acceptance of death's inevitability. The Stoic Philosophy, in particular, advocate for the joyful acceptance of death as an integral part of life. This philosophical stance fosters a positive perspective on death, encouraging individuals to live life to its fullest potential. Embracing death with joy entails psychological reassurance and preparatory measures for life's inevitable end. This qualitative study explores psychological preparation for death using primary and secondary data sources. Primary sources include the philosophical texts by Seneca and Marcus Aurelius, specifically "Letters to Lucilius," "On the Shortness of Life," and "Meditations." Secondary data is collected from peer-reviewed journals, books, and reports that contextualize these works within modern psychological frameworks. The primary audience includes individuals preparing for death due to age or illness and those grieving loved ones, offering a pathway to peace and understanding through Stoic wisdom. Moreover, this will be a guidance to those who work with the terminally ill people to get psychological resilience. By embracing death, Stoicism encourages both the dying and the bereaved to find psychological reassurance and encourage all to live a meaningful life in the given time frame.

Facilitating positive emotions in people with challenges by combining conventional occupational training and a novel farming program: a feasibility study

ObjectiveJapan has a system of occupational therapy programs known as self-reliance training (training for daily living), which helps people with various disabilities lead more meaningful lives. Recently, it has been shown that green care farms are beneficial for dementia care and that agricultural and horticultural work has a positive impact on people with intellectual disabilities and mental disorders. This study examined the health-improving effects of farm activities and developed an attractive program for adolescents with developmental and intellectual disabilities who use independent training facilities. The program comprised agricultural and horticultural activities such as vegetable cultivation and management, flower planting, and flower arrangement.ResultsNo significant differences were observed in any of the measures for positive mood before and after the usual program (UP). However, anger-hostility and depression-dejection improved significantly after the farm program (FP) (p < .05). Self-efficacy improved significantly after both UP and FP (p < .10). Free responses were obtained from UP (131 responses) and FP (126 responses) participants; thematic analysis of FP participants’ statements revealed that positive comments included “confidence in accomplishing tasks,” “anticipation and joy of growing plants,” and “motivation for gardening activities.”

The Relationship Between the Dark Triad and Junior High School Students Satisfaction with School Life: the Chain Mediating Effect of Sense of Control and Sense of Meaning in Life

This study explored how dark triad characteristics affect junior middle school students satisfaction with school life, and further explored the chain mediating role of individual sense of control and sense of life meaning in this association. The study adopted standardized assessment tools, including the Twelve Dark triad questionnaire to measure the dark triad trait, combined with the sense of control scale, the sense of life meaning scale and the school life satisfaction questionnaire, to conduct a comprehensive survey of 416 junior high school students. The results showed that there was a significant negative correlation between the dark triad and junior middle school students sense of control, sense of meaning in life and school life satisfaction. Meanwhile, junior high school students sense of control, sense of life meaning and school life satisfaction are positively correlated. Further analysis reveals that the dark triad not only indirectly affects school life satisfaction through the single path of sense of control or sense of life meaning, but also has a profound impact through the chain mediation mechanism of the two. Specifically, this mediating effect accounts for 22.14% (only through sense of control), 22.54% (only through sense of life meaning) and 18.19% (through the combination of sense of control and sense of life meaning) of the total influence of dark triad on school life satisfaction, respectively. This finding highlights the importance of focusing on and intervening with dark triad characteristics in middle school students, and the value of enhancing sense of control and sense of meaning as potential avenues for improving school life satisfaction.

Relationship Between Happiness, Culture, Socio-Economic Status, And Religious Coping Among Muslim Women Students Residing In Sokoto State, Nigeria

The goal of happiness is to have a stress-free and functional society. Yet, stress from cultural and socio-economic factors may arise when Muslim women student’s issues are discussed within society practices; which has resulted in illiteracy in Nigeria due to low enrolment attendance and school completion rates. Despite this, the World Happiness Report (WHR, 2023) ranked Nigeria as 95th happiest country in the world, and the fifth happiest country in Africa. Nevertheless, not many researches on happiness among Muslim women students in Northern Nigeria have been reported. This study investigated the relationship between happiness, culture, socio-economic status (SES), and religious coping, among Muslim women students at the Women Centre for Continuing Education (WCCE), in Sokoto, Northern Nigeria. A total number of 269 Muslim women students were selected to participate in this study using purposive random sampling. Instruments namely Orientation to Happiness Scale (OHS), Cultural Questionnaire for Women, (CQW), Socio-Economic Status Scale (SESS), Islamic Religious Coping Scale (RCOPE) were used for data collection. The total Cronbach’s alpha Coefficiency was 0.937, which was found to be reliable. The results were analysed using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The measurement model was evaluated using items loading of average variance extracted (AVE) and composite reliability (CR). The findings of this study showed that the direct relationship of culture, socio-economic status and religious coping towards happiness were significant. As a conclusion, this study provides useful information for counsellors who can assist their clients in improving and maintaining their positive religious coping practices, as well as their ability to encounter positive feelings, engage in Islamic practices, have a meaningful life, and cope with stressors. Future research on happiness in other Northern states of Nigeria is recommended.

Reimagining ‘entrepreneuring as emancipation’ as a broader struggle for a freer life

ABSTRACT This paper extends research investigating ‘entrepreneuring as emancipation’ by reimagining it as a broader struggle for a freer life. To do this, I draw upon Martin Hägglund’s philosophy, particularly his view of freedom as having more time to pursue activities that matter to us, and by using two little narratives as illustrative examples. This view of freedom challenges neoliberal and liberal conceptions of a freer life and advances our understanding in two areas. First, the paper illustrates ‘entrepreneuring as emancipation’ as a broader struggle, and as a question of degrees, since it both holds the potential to increase the realm of freedom, thus enabling women to lead freer and more meaningful lives in specific contexts, and the danger of bolstering the realm of necessity, leading women to spend their time on activities where they only endure present ways of living or endorse neoliberal lifestyles. Second, the paper illustrates ‘entrepreneuring as emancipation’ as a broader struggle since it sparks women’s spiritual freedom as they start questioning and transforming taken-for-granted ideas of who they should be and what they should do with their time. Finally, the paper contributes methodologically to research focusing on marginalized voices beyond the lead entrepreneur.

Teenagers' experiences of parent-child relationships and their level of awareness of life's meaning

Teenagers' experiences of parent-child relationships and their level of awareness of life's meaning

The role of meaning in life in the association between loneliness and depression: a mediation study among older adults from 26 European countries.

Loneliness and depression are serious public mental health problems. Meaning in life (MIL) is associated with reduced loneliness and depression. This study aimed to: (1) investigate associations between loneliness, MIL, and depression, differentiated by sex in individuals aged ≥ 50years, residing in 26 European countries and Israel, and (2) to examine in men and women separately whether MIL mediated the relationship between loneliness and depression. We included 41,372 individuals (23,789 women) who responded to wave 8 of the SHARE project. The variables analyzed were loneliness (UCLA), depression (EURO-D scale), and MIL (CASP-19). The analytical procedures included regression analysis and exploratory mediation analysis. Among men and women, the odds of loneliness increasing depression were 3.6 and 3.3 times higher, respectively. Among men, feeling MIL sometimes or often had odds for reducing depression by 0.53 and 0.21, respectively. In women, feeling MIL sometimes or frequently reduced the odds of depression by 0.37 and 0.19, respectively. Regardless of sex, mediation analyses showed a positive association between loneliness and depression, while MIL was negatively associated with loneliness and depression. MIL partially mediated the association between LON and depression in male and female models by approximately 83.2% and 80.7%, respectively. No differences were found between men's and women's mediation models. Regardless of sex, high levels of MIL seem to be effective in benefiting the mental health of Europeans aged 50 and over. MIL proved to be a significant mediator of the relationship between loneliness and depression, while loneliness and depression strengthened each other.

On the “How” and the “Why”: Nietzsche on Happiness and the Meaningful Life

Abstract Nietzsche is commonly interpreted as strongly rejecting and even despising any possible conception (or pursuit) of happiness. And yet, one of the most pervasive topics in Nietzsche’s work is the problem of human suffering, the pursuit of meaning (or purpose) in life, and the possibility of a joyful or affirmative disposition toward existence. In this article, I argue that Nietzsche’s criticism of common conceptions of happiness should be seen as a redefinition, rather than a rejection, of the notion of human happiness, with important implications for contemporary discussions on the topic. I start by addressing three of the main contemporary theories of happiness from a Nietzschean perspective, underlining both the points of convergence and the points of divergence between Nietzsche and each of these accounts. I then gather the conclusions of the previous section, add Nietzsche’s positive claims on happiness and the meaningful life, and sketch what might be called a Nietzschean theory of happiness. Finally, I situate Nietzsche’s position in the contemporary debate on the topic and outline what I take to be his most important contributions to current discussions on happiness, meaning, and well-being in human life.

Negation Forms in the Poetry of Philip Larkin

ABSTRACT This article presents an analysis of negation forms in Philip Larkin’s poetry, specifically forms negated by suffixes and prefixes. Drawing on the literary stylistic analysis approach, as proposed by Geoffrey Leech, we progress from linguistic description to literary interpretation, with the assumption that linguistics and literature should complement one another. We discuss nine poems by Larkin, with the focus placed on patterns that deliver precise understanding of the text’s unifying theme. The major argument is that the frequent use of negation forms by Larkin is not arbitrary; rather its use might illustrate an effort meant to make these forms resonate with the poem’s atmosphere and social contexts. The results suggest that linguistic choices and poetic style have helped Larkin convey messages concerning three themes, namely, 1) uncertainty, 2) futility of life, and 3) agnosticism. By focusing on Larkin’s poems and the ways in which the poems are read, different strands are plaited, and multilevel stylistics approaches help readers to focus on the gaps concerning social contexts that could illuminate other possibilities and meanings.

Older persons making a life closure: experiences of loneliness in an academic nursing home – a phenomenological qualitative interview study

ABSTRACT Background Loneliness is a public health concern and more than half of the residents in nursing homes experience lonliness. Risk factors are age and loss of close relatives. Purpose This study aimed to describe experiences of loneliness among older people living in an academic nursing home. Methods Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten older people and data analysed with systematic text condensation inspired by a phenomenological approach. Results Three themes were identified: “Relatives and health care professionals matter”; “Acceptance and meaningful existence alleviate loneliness”; and “Challenges affecting the experience of loneliness”. The older persons described themselves as lonely, but their experience of loneliness differed. They managed loneliness by adapting to it or getting used to it; some also chose to be alone. To add meaningfulness to their daily life, talking about memories and their past were appriciated. Personality traits and variations in functional ability were identified as barriers to social interactions. Conclusions Health care professionals can reduce negative experiences of loneliness by listening to nursing home residents, creating a meaningful daily life with individualized activities, and by encouraging contacts with close relatives. This can be a way of maintaining older persons’ dignity and coping with the longing for what has been.

Genetic Correlates of Behavioral Self-Control: COMT and DRD2 Associations with Self-Regulation, Reflection and Meaningfulness of life in Women

The objective of our study was to investigate the genetic predictors of self-regulation and related characteristics indicative of a higher level of rational behavior control. The study 107 female participants aged between 22 and 52 years, with an average age of 33.5 years (Russian Federation). In order to measure level of self-regulation and other characteristics corresponding to a higher level of rational behavioral control the following psychological tests were employed: the “Differential Type of Reflection” questionnaire (Leontyev D.A.), the “Style of Self-Regulation of Behavior” questionnaire (Morosanova, Kholopova, 1995), and the Test of Life-Meaning Orientations (D.A. Leontyeva, 1988). Genotyping was use to examine polymorphisms of the COMT, DRD2 genes. Our findings demonstrate significant differences in the level of systemic reflection among carriers of different genotypes of the DRD2 and COMT genes. The highest level of systemic reflection in carriers of the CC genotype for the DRD2 gene and a heterozygous variant of the COMT gene suggests a balance between the elevated dopaminergic activity characteristic of the CC DRD2 genotype and moderate COMT activity, fostering optimal dopamine metabolism.

Development of An Ethnoscience Module on the Environmental Pollution Theme to Improve Community Early Literacy

Early literacy skills are crucial foundational abilities necessary for a more meaningful life. The low levels of early literacy within society must be addressed to foster good literacy habits. Developing an ethnoscience module themed around environmental pollution can help improve community early literacy skills. This study aims to (1) assess the validity of the ethnoscience module on environmental pollution, (2) evaluate the practicality of the ethnoscience module on environmental pollution, and (3) determine the effectiveness of the ethnoscience module on environmental pollution. The research employs the ADDIE methodology: (analysis) problem analysis, (design) module design, (development) module development, (implementation) module implementation, and (evaluation) module evaluation. The study’s findings indicate that (1) the ethnoscience module on environmental pollution is highly valid with a score of 87.81%, (2) the module is very practical with a score of 90,97%, and (3) the module is highly effective, achieving an N-Gain score of 0.8 and a community response rate of 86.25% in the very good category. The research and development results conclude that the ethnoscience module on environmental pollution can significantly enhance early literacy skills in the community.

Psychological Resources of Resilience in a Crisis Situation: Transformations of the Value-semantic Sphere of Students Living in a Zone of Local Military Conflict

This article substantiates the impact of the crisis situation on the actualization and development of personal resources and coping with a difficult life situation. Using the example of students living in a local military conflict zone, it is shown that value-semantic resources (psychological resources of stability) in a crisis situation can transform and manifest themselves at the level of reducing the level of meaningfulness of life, value basis and existential fulfillment of life, reducing the degree of emotional response to current events. A crisis situation for a person, on the one hand, can become a source of disintegration in the perception of events of the past, present and future; loss of meaningfulness of life and devaluation of past experience; on the other hand, it can result in subjective well–being if a person works with a psychoemotional state (that includes working with fear and anxiety; perception of a difficult life situation as a challenge and finding new ones personal meanings); works with goals (building an image of the future in the short term), and if a person is rethinking and updating new personal meanings. According to the results of our research, goal-setting and building an image of the future are interrelated with the ability of the subject to be more open to emotional experiences, to show willingness to work with negative emotions (the “Self-Transcendence” scale); to actualize his personal potential (the “Personality” scale). The following empirical methods were used: Test of life-meaning orientations. SJO (J. Crumbo, L. Maholik in adaptation by D. A. Leontyev); Test of research into the real structure of a person’s value orientations (S.S. Bubnova); Methodology for diagnosing the subjective well-being of an individual (Shamionov R.M., Beskova T.V.); «The scale of existence» (Existenzskala) by A. Langle and K. Orgler (adapted by I. N. Mainina and A. Yu. Vasanov).

Psychological Characteristics of Adolescents with Varying Degrees of Tendency to Internet Addiction

Introduction. This article is dedicated to studying psychological characteristics of modern adolescents with different severity of the tendency to Internet addictive behavior. In the course of the study, theoretical and empirical material concerning the problem of deviant behavior was generalized. Also, individual psychological characteristics of adolescents and the influence of varying degrees of severity of Internet addiction on young people’s meaning of life orientations were identified. The novelty of this study lies in the fact that for the first time, a set of psychological diagnostic techniques aimed at studying the meaningful orientations of adolescents with Internet addiction was formulated and tested.Purpose. Studying psychological characteristics of adolescents with varying degrees of tendency to Internet addiction. Materials and Methods. As part of the empirical study, the following standardized methods were used: the questionnaire “Behavior on the Internet” by A. E. Zhichkina, the methodology “Questionnaire for studying the level of aggressiveness of Bass-Darka”, “Test of meaningful life orientations (SMO)” by D. A. Leontiev, the methodology “Self-assessment of mental states” by G. Eysenck. Mathematical processing of the obtained data was carried out using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. The data was processed using the computer program “SPSS” 17.0 for Windows”.Results. The respondents were 120 teenagers studying in general education institutions of the city of Rostov-on-Don. As a result of the study, it was found that the indicators of aggression are least pronounced in adolescents prone to Internet addiction. In respondents without a tendency to addictive behavior, anxiety and frustration were found to be the least.Discussion. In the group of Internet-dependent adolescents, almost all the main aspects of personality show low indicators, which reflects negative impact of the Internet on formation of individual psychological characteristics of adolescents. The hypothesis of adolescents’ tendency to Internet addiction being associated with peculiarities of meaningful life orientations has been confirmed.