Meaning-in-Life: A Vital Salutogenic Resource for Health

Abstract

Based on evidence and theory, we state that facilitating and supporting people’s meaning-making processes are health promoting. Hence, meaning-in-life is a salutogenic concept.Authors from various disciplines such as nursing, medicine, psychology, philosophy, religion, and arts argue that the human search for meaning is a primary force in life and one of the most fundamental challenges an individual faces. Research demonstrates that meaning is of great importance for mental as well as physical well-being and crucial for health and quality of life. Studies have shown significant correlations between meaning-in-life and physical health measured by lower mortality for all causes of death; meaning is correlated with less cardiovascular disease, less hypertension, better immune function, less depression, and better coping and recovery from illness. Studies have shown that cancer patients who experience a high degree of meaning have a greater ability to tolerate bodily ailments than those who do not find meaning-in-life. Those who, despite pain and fatigue, experience meaning report better quality-of-life than those with low meaning. Hence, if the individual finds meaning despite illness, ailments, and imminent death, well-being, health, and quality-of-life will increase in the current situation. However, when affected by illness and reduced functionality, finding meaning-in-life might prove more difficult. A will to search for meaning is required, as well as health professionals who help patients and their families not only to cope with illness and suffering but also to find meaning amid these experiences. Accordingly, meaning-in-life is considered a vital salutogenic resource and concept.The psychiatrist Viktor Emil Frankl’s theory of “Will to Meaning” forms the basis for modern health science research on meaning; Frankl’s premise was that man has enough to live by, but too little to live for. According to Frankl, logotherapy ventures into the spiritual dimension of human life. The Greek word “logos” means not only meaning but also spirit. However, Frankl highlighted that in a logotherapeutic context, spirituality is not primarily about religiosity—although religiosity can be a part of it—but refers to a specific human dimension that makes us human. Frankl based his theory on three concepts: meaning, freedom to choose and suffering, stating that the latter has no point. People should not look for an inherent meaning in the negative events happening to them, or in their suffering, because the meaning is not there. The meaning is in the attitude people choose while suffering from illness, crises, etc.

Meaning Making for Psychological Adjustment and Quality of Life in Older Long-Term Breast Cancer Survivors

“…Furthermore, from a developmental perspective, with age follows a need to look back on life, rather than to the future, and create meaning from all the experiences of the past (Erikson, 1980). The importance of meaning making for older individuals are supported by several studies linking meaning making to QoL and well-being for this population (Drageset et al, 2017;Haugan et al, 2020;Haugan and Dezutter, 2021). Consequently, relevant supportive health care interventions addressing not only the comorbidity burden among older long-term breast cancer survivors, but also promoting existential and mental wellbeing will be even more important in the years to come (Winger et al, 2020).…”

“…Hence, meaning making processes to adjust to adversity will be initiated. In general, to perceive one’s life as meaningful is crucial to people’s mental and existential wellbeing and health, and perceived meaning in life is found to be a vital health-promoting resource among vulnerable populations such as cancer patients and survivors ( Park et al, 2008 ; Park and George, 2013 ; van der Spek et al, 2017 ; Haugan and Dezutter, 2021 ). Furthermore, from a developmental perspective, with age follows a need to look back on life, rather than to the future, and create meaning from all the experiences of the past ( Erikson, 1980 ).…”

La Logoterapia en la Educación: Revisión Sistemática

“…La logoterapia es una propuesta de origen psicológico, se ha encontrado útil con problemas de adicción al alcohol (McInerney et al, 2021) drogas, depresión, ansiedad, psicosis, duelo y desesperación (Russo-Netzer & Ameli, 2021); sin embargo, viene incursionando de manera imponente en el campo de la medicina, en el cual, recientes investigaciones demuestran que la logoterapia ayuda a reducir comportamiento de estrés, ansiedad, depresión; mejorando la calidad de vida en pacientes con enfermedades crónicas, como el cáncer (Beuselinck, 2021); insuficiencia renal crónica (Mehrizi et al, 2022), cardiovasculares (Ghasemi et al, 2022), cirugía cardiaca (Alavi et al, 2022), cáncer de mama (Raji Lahiji et al, 2022); diabetes (Bahar et al, 2021); reduciendo su mortalidad. Así mismo, la logoterapia se aplica en situaciones críticas para el cuidado de enfermos terminales o críticos que a veces desesperados, desean renunciar a la vida, pidiendo la eutanasia (Haugan & Dezutter, 2021). Paralelamente, para cuidadores formales de pág.…”

“…(Schimmoeller & Rothhaar, 2020). Durante las últimas décadas, los suicidios, el alcoholismo, la intoxicación y criminalidad entre los adolescentes han aumentado a nivel mundial (Haugan & Dezutter, 2021). El problema del abuso de estupefacientes tiene un impacto global, la Oficina de las Naciones Unidas contra la Droga y el Delito (UNODC, 2013), afirma que el uso indebido de sustancias alucinógenas ascendió a 2,21% en el mundo, y aumentó en 2011 a 2,8%; no obstante, la logoterapia en un año podría aumentar el significado de la vida en estos sujetos, y reducir la tasa de la adicción a las drogas del 45% al 11% (Palinggi et al, 2020).…”

“…(Mayer et al, 2021). Hoy en día, esta teoría es aplicada no sólo a nivel individual sino también grupal (Haugan & Dezutter, 2021)…”