Purpose This study aimed to investigate 2 dimensions of meaning in life—Presence of Meaning (i.e., the perception of your life as significant, purposeful, and valuable) and Search for Meaning (i.e., the strength, intensity, and activity of people's efforts to establish or increase their understanding of the meaning in their lives)—and their role for the well-being of chronically ill patients. Research design A sample of 481 chronically ill patients (M = 50 years, SD = 7.26) completed measures on meaning in life, life satisfaction, optimism, and acceptance. We hypothesized that Presence of Meaning and Search for Meaning will have specific relations with all 3 aspects of well-being. Results Cluster analysis was used to examine meaning in life profiles. Results supported 4 distinguishable profiles (High Presence High Search, Low Presence High Search, High Presence Low Search, and Low Presence Low Search) with specific patterns in relation to well-being and acceptance. Specifically, the 2 profiles in which meaning is present showed higher levels of well-being and acceptance, whereas the profiles in which meaning is absent are characterized by lower levels. Furthermore, the results provided some clarification on the nature of the Search for Meaning process by distinguishing between adaptive (the High Presence High Search cluster) and maladaptive (the Low Presence High Search cluster) searching for meaning in life. Conclusions The present study provides an initial glimpse in how meaning in life may be related to the well-being of chronically ill patients and the acceptance of their condition. Clinical implications are discussed.

After participating in this educational activity, the physician should be better able to 1. Identify the risk factors associated with persistence of postpartum depression. 2. Evaluate the limitations of the literature. 3. Determine the implications of the findings on women with postpartum depression and their children.This article aims to critically review studies published between 1985 and 2012 concerning the course of postpartum depression (PPD), as well as factors implicated in PPD with a chronic course. We provide a systematic, qualitative review of studies on the course of PPD, following PRISMA guidelines. The results show that although the majority of women recover from PPD, it becomes chronic in a relatively large subgroup of women. Several studies have identified risk factors predicting a chronic course of PPD. This review also emphasizes and discusses important conceptual and methodological limitations in existing research, which preclude drawing strong conclusions. Finally, the implications of these findings and suggestions for future research and clinical intervention are outlined.