Positive Psychology
Jeffrey M. Pavlacic, M.A.
PhD Candidate
University of Mississippi
Oxford, Mississippi
Stefan E. Schulenberg, Ph.D.
Professor
University of Mississippi
Taylor, Mississippi
Sujith Ramachandran, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
University of Mississippi
University, Mississippi
John P. Bentley, Ph.D.
Professor
The University of Mississippi
University, Mississippi
Danielle Maack, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
University of Mississippi
Oxford, Mississippi
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John Young, Ph.D.
Professor
University of Mississippi
University, Mississippi
Two specific forms of global beliefs, meaning and purpose in life, are integral to well-being and represent key constructs in resolving the discrepancy between situational and global meanings (Martela & Steger, 2018). Meaning in life is conceptualized as one’s sense of significance or “mattering,” while purpose is defined as goal-driven action (Martela & Steger, 2018). Meaning and purpose are transdiagnostic components of mental health difficulties and have been demonstrated to be related to psychological well-being in individuals with anxiety problems (Kashdan & McKnight, 2013), longitudinally measured depressive symptoms (Disabato et al., 2017), and high levels of health anxiety (Yek et al., 2017). While extant research has established links between meaning, purpose, and various domains of psychopathology and well-being, an understanding of the relevance of meaning and purpose within the context of physical health is more limited. The current study therefore examined the role of meaning and purpose in life as predictors of mental health, physical health, and health anxiety to enhance our understanding of the role of meaning-making on psychological and physical health outcomes in a university sample of faculty, staff, and students. Using a cross-sectional design, participants (N = 284; 70.07% female; Mage = 31.51) completed self-report measures, and path analysis was utilized to test hypothesized relationships between constructs. Measures completed were the Claremont Purpose Scale (Bronk et al., 2018), the Health Anxiety Inventory (Salkovskis et al., 2002), and the PROMIS® Global Health instrument (Hays et al., 2009; with physical and mental health scores). We hypothesized that meaning would predict mental health, physical health, and health anxiety, with purpose predicting mental health. The hypothesized model was an adequate fit (SRMR = .037; RMSEA = .102; CFI = .978). Using standardized and unstandardized estimates (β and b), meaning in life predicted mental health (β = .51, b = 1.06, SE = 0.13, p < .001), physical health (β = .29, b = 0.56, SE = 0.11, p < .001), and lower health anxiety (β = -.27, b = -0.42, SE = 0.09, p < .001). Purpose in life did not predict mental health. The current findings suggest that positive, transdiagnostic coping factors may play an important role in lower mental and physical health problems. Discovering meaning and purpose in life through valued activities is foundational to evidence-based therapeutic approaches, such as meaning-enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Ameli & Dattilio, 2013) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (Hayes et al., 2011). Interventions targeting components of psychological well-being, such as meaning and purpose, are also applicable to meaning-focused interventions (e.g., Community-Based Psychological First Aid; Jacobs, 2020) provided within a disaster context.
