Objective: The present study investigated naturally occurring profiles based on two dimensions of meaning in life: Presence of Meaning and Search for Meaning. Cluster analysis was used to examine meaning in life profiles and subsequent analyses identified different patterns in psychosocial functioning for each profile.Method: A sample of 8,492 American emerging adults (72.5% women) from 30 colleges and universities completed measures on meaning in life, and positive and negative psychosocial functioning. Results:Results provided support for five meaningful yet distinguishable profiles. A strong generalizability of the cluster solution was found across age, and partial generalizability was found across gender and ethnicity. Furthermore, the five profiles showed specific patterns in relation to positive and negative psychosocial functioning. Specifically, respondents with profiles high on presence of meaning showed the most adaptive psychosocial functioning whereas respondents with profiles where meaning was largely absent showed maladaptive psychosocial functioning. Experiencing meaning in life is an important component of optimal psychological functioning (e.g., Baumeister, 1991; Frankl, 1963). Meaning in life has been defined in terms of coherence, understanding of life, understanding of the world, and purposefulness (e.g., King, Hicks, Krull, & DelGaiso, 2006;Reker & Wong, 1988). It involves forming a sense of coherence in life and investing in important lifelong aspirations (Steger, 2012). Research has indicated that higher levels of meaning in life are associated with more positive emotions and vitality (Brassai, Piko, & Steger, 2010), increased self-esteem (Kiang & Fuligni, 2010), less depressive symptoms (Steger, Mann, Michels, & Cooper, 2009) and lower health-risk behavior (Brassai et al., 2010). Conclusion Presence of Meaning and Search for MeaningMeaning in life is often approached as a broad concept containing cognitive components (e.g., the understandings of who we are), motivational goal-directed components (e.g., identification and pursuit of purpose), and affective components (e.g., feeling that life makes sense) (see Reker & Wong, 1988). Steger and colleagues (2006) further developed this conceptual idea into a clear distinction between two dimensions of meaning in life. The first aspect, Presence of Meaning, encompasses whether individuals perceive their lives as significant, purposeful, and valuable. It refers to the comprehension of oneself and the surrounding world, the understanding of how one fits into the world, and the clarity of one's goals and desires (King et al., 2006). Presence of Meaning can be regarded as a highly desired psychological quality ("my life is meaningful") (Steger, Kawabata, Shimai, & Otake, 2008).The second dimension, Search for Meaning, refers to the strength, intensity, and activity of people's efforts to establish or increase their understanding of the meaning and purpose of their lives. It refers to the process of how individuals develop their sense of mea...
The present article presents a review of identity status-based theory and research with adolescents and emerging adults, with some coverage of related approaches such as narrative identity and identity style. In the first section, we review Erikson’s theory of identity and early identity status research examining differences in personality and cognitive variables across statuses. We then review two contemporary identity models that extend identity status theory and explicitly frame identity development as a dynamic and iterative process. We also review work that has focused on specific domains of identity. The second section of the article discusses mental and physical health correlates of identity processes and statuses. The article concludes with recommendations for future identity research with adolescent and emerging adult populations.
The study shed light on the mechanisms through which identity processes are related to internalizing symptoms, externalizing problems, and health-risk behaviors. The role of well-being in these associations, and the potentially deleterious "side effects" of exploration and commitment appear to suggest new and important directions for identity research.
Advances in applied developmental science have contributed to the large literature on positive youth development (PYD) interventions. This study reports an investigation of a PYD program using an outcome-mediation evaluation model that drew on the treatment intervention science literature. The Changing Lives Program (CLP) is a community supported gender and ethnic inclusive PYD intervention framework. Using an empowerment approach, the CLP was implemented in a practice setting as a selective/ indicated positive youth development program for multi-ethnic, multi-problem at risk
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