Meaning and Purpose in Life and Well-being: a Life-span Perspective

Reker, Gary T.; Peacock, Edward J.; Wong, Paul T. P.

doi:10.1093/geronj/42.1.44

Cited by 481 publications

(326 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Previous research has also shown that couple and family relationships can protect a person's sense of meaning, and this may be the motivation for marriage and having children, particularly (Scannell, 2009), though not all studies support this idea (e.g., Hansen, 2012;Peterson, Park & Seligman, 2005). Age and gender were also included as control variables, although they have yielded contradictory results in previous research (e.g., Crumbaugh, 1968;Debats, 1998;Reker, Peacock, & Wong, 1987;Scannell, 2009;Steger et al, 2006).…”

Section: The Present Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Contributions of Attachment and Caregiving Orientations to Living a Meaningful Life

Reizer¹,

Dahan²,

Shaver³

2013

PSYCH

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This study adopted Bowlby's (1982) behavioral systems perspective on meaning in life by focusing on two behavioural systems discussed by Bowlby: attachment and caregiving. Three hypotheses were formulated: 1) attachment orientations will predict meaning in life; 2) caregiving orientations will predict meaning in life; 3) attachment will moderate the associations between caregiving and sense of meaning in life. Three hundred thirteen adults completed self-report scales measuring attachment, caregiving, and two aspects of meaning in life (presence of meaning and searching for meaning). Results indicated that attachment insecurities (anxiety and avoidance), caregiving deactivation, and the interaction between attachment anxiety and caregiving deactivation contributed uniquely to the prediction of meaning in life. In addition, religiosity contributed significantly to the presence of meaning. Finally, attachment anxiety and caregiving deactivation predicted searching for meaning. The study shows that a behavioral systems perspective can contribute to the literature on meaning in life.

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Section: The Present Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Contributions of Attachment and Caregiving Orientations to Living a Meaningful Life

Reizer¹,

Dahan²,

Shaver³

2013

PSYCH

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“…11 The existential vacuum subscale measures lack of meaning in life, lack of goals, and free-floating anxiety; it is comprised of 7 items. The life purpose subscale measures zest for life, fulfillment, and satisfaction and is comprised of 9 items.…”

Section: Procedures and Instrumentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meaning and life purpose: the perspectives of post-transplant women

Evangelista¹,

Doering²,

Dracup³

2003

Heart & Lung

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PURPOSE:A descriptive, exploratory study was conducted to examine perceptions and meanings assigned to the experience of end-stage heart failure and transplant surgery in female recipients. METHODS:Data was collected from 33 female heart transplant recipients from a heart transplant clinic using quantitative and qualitative methods. Women completed the Life Attitudes Profile and Multiple Affect Adjective Checklist and participated in a semi-structured interview. RESULTS:Women on average had a meaning score of 30.64 Ϯ 8.32 (range, 10-43) and a life purpose score of 40.12 Ϯ 13.78 (range, 17-63). The participants reported high levels of anxiety, depression, and hostility. Women expressed feelings of fear and lack of control related to their heart disease and transplant; however, they also described optimism, faith, acceptance, altruism, self-transcendence, self-fulfillment, and changing life goals as strong motivators for recovery. CONCLUSION:Women experience emotional distress as much as and beyond 5 years after heart transplantation. Their sense of meaning and life purpose is relatively high and is positively informed by several motivating factors that serve as coping resources throughout the recovery process. (Heart Lung® 2003;32:250-7.)

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“…While the concept of meaning has been integral to several theories of social work and the disciplines that inform it (Maluccio, 1981;Pray, 1949;Rank, 1945), it has not been advocated as a central practice notion. This is lamentable, as the search for meaning is one of the key driving force in each of our lives (King, 2004;Phillips, 1999;Reker, Peacock, & Wong, 1987;Thompson et. al., 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meaning as a core principle in Social Work practice = El sentido como principio básico en la práctica del Trabajo Social

Furman

Enterline²,

Lamphear³

et al. 2014

Comunitania

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Abstrac:This paper explores the concept of meaning as a focus area for expanding core values and practice realities in social work. By focusing on helping clients develop a sense of meaning and purpose in their lives, social workers can help clients maximize their personal and cultural strengths in the service of meeting their developmental and social aims. A case example is used, and concepts discussed are applied in the area of finding meaning in life.Keywords: Social work practice, meaning, existentialism. Resumen:En este trabajo se explora el concepto de significado como un área de interés para la expansión de los valores fundamentales y las realidades de la práctica en el trabajo social. Al centrarse en ayudar a los clientes a desarrollar un sentido de significado y propósito en sus vidas, los trabajadores sociales pueden ayudar a los clientes a maximizar sus fortalezas personales y culturales al servicio del cumplimiento de sus objetivos sociales y de desarrollo. Se utiliza un ejemplo de caso, y conceptos tratados se aplican en el ámbito de la búsqueda de sentido de la vida.Palabras clave: la práctica del trabajo social, significado, existencialismo.

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Meaning and Purpose in Life and Well-being: a Life-span Perspective

Cited by 481 publications

References 6 publications

The Contributions of Attachment and Caregiving Orientations to Living a Meaningful Life

The Contributions of Attachment and Caregiving Orientations to Living a Meaningful Life

Meaning and life purpose: the perspectives of post-transplant women

Meaning as a core principle in Social Work practice = El sentido como principio básico en la práctica del Trabajo Social

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