Meaningful life

See also: Meaning of life

In positive psychology, a meaningful life is a construct having to do with the purpose, significance, fulfillment, and satisfaction of life.[1] While specific theories vary, there are two common aspects: a global schema to understand one's life and the belief that life itself is meaningful. Meaning can be defined as the connection linking two presumably independent entities together;[2] a meaningful life links the biological reality of life to a symbolic interpretation or meaning.[3] Those possessing a sense of meaning are generally found to be happier,[1] to have lower levels of negative emotions, and to have lower risk of mental illness.[4]

While there are benefits to making meaning out of life, there is still not one definitive way in which one can establish such a meaning. In psychological studies, those who were successful in creating a meaningful life enjoyed benefits such as higher levels of positive affect, life satisfaction, etc.[5] When faced with a stressful life situation, finding meaning is shown to help adjustment.[6]

  1. ^ a b Steger, Michael F. (2009). "Meaning in Life". In Snyder, C.R.; Lopez, Shane J. (eds.). Oxford handbook of positive psychology. Vol. 1 (2nd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 678–688. doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195187243.013.0064. ISBN 9780195187243.
  2. ^ Baumeister, Roy F.; Vohs, Kathleen D. (2002). "The pursuit of meaningfulness in life". In Snyder, C. R.; Lopez, Shane J. (eds.). Handbook of positive psychology (1st ed.). Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 608–618. ISBN 978-0195135336.
  3. ^ Baumeister, Roy F.; Vohs, Kathleen D.; Aaker, Jennifer L.; Garbinsky, Emily N. (November 2013). "Some key differences between a happy life and a meaningful life". The Journal of Positive Psychology. 8 (6): 505–516. doi:10.1080/17439760.2013.830764. S2CID 11271686. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  4. ^ Feldman, David B.; Snyder, C. R. (1 May 2005). "Hope and the Meaningful Life: Theoretical and Empirical Associations Between Goal–Directed Thinking and Life Meaning". Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology. 24 (3): 401–421. doi:10.1521/jscp.24.3.401.65616.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Stillman 2009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Davis 1998 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).