Anomie, existential neurosis and personality: Relevance for counseling

The Relationship between Meaning in Life and Mental Well-Being

“…In addition, a significant negative correlation was also found between the PIL and the Pt (Psychasthenia) scale of the MMPI. Elmore and Chambers (1967) found significant negative correlations between the PIL and the MMPI subscales D, Hy (Hysteria), Pd (Psychopathic deviate) and Si (Social introversion) as well as several research scales. Nyholm (1966) found significant negative correlations between the PIL and the D, and Si subscales of the MMPI.…”

The role of life meaning in psychotherapy

“…For example, meaning in life has consistently been negatively associated with depression (Debats et al, 1993;Elmore & Chambers, 1967;Garner, Bhatia, Dean, & Byars, 2007;Mascaro & Rosen, 2005Moomal, 1999;Shek, 1992;Wang, Lightsey, Pietruszka, Uruk, & Wells, 2007). One study proposed a model hypothesizing that depression leads to a lack of purpose in life, which in turn leads to suicidal ideation and substance use (Harlow, Newcomb, & Bentler, 1986).…”

“…In an effort to increase effect size, researchers might identify and focus on more specific aspects of psychotherapy processes and outcomes with which meaning in life might be related rather than using general measures of wellbeing, problems, or functioning. For example, life meaning has been found to correlate moderately to highly with depression (Debats et al, 1993;Elmore & Chambers, 1967;Garner et al, 2007;Mascaro & Rosen, 2005Moomal, 1999;Shek, 1992;Wang et al, 2007) and anxiety (Debats et al, 1993;Moomal, 1999;Shek, 1992;Zika & Chamberlain, 1992). In addition to being empirically justified, the variables of depression and anxiety also have theoretical bases.…”

“…Although it has been the topic of much psychological scholarship throughout the history of psychology (Auhagen, 2000), only in the past several decades has empirical research been conducted (e.g., Elmore & Chambers, 1967;Reker, Peacock, & Wong, 1987;King, Hicks, Krull, & Del Gaiso, 2006). …”