The Existential Vacuum and Its Relationship to Pessimism and Optimism among Undergraduate Students

Abstract

University students may confront an existential vacuum, characterized by a loss of life's meaning resulting from personal crises, socio-political shifts, and health transformations. These challenges, which some young individuals may struggle to adapt to, contribute to an existential vacuum, fostering feelings of pessimism and despair. The current study investigated the prevalence of existential vacuum, pessimism, and optimism among undergraduate students, assessing their interrelations and exploring potential differences based on gender. The research sample consisted of 466 students, both male and female, during the first semester of the 2021-2022 academic year. A correlational method was employed in this study. Utilizing validated scales to measure existential vacuum (α = .90, r = .87), pessimism, and optimism (α = .88), the findings indicated that while existential vacuum presented at low level (M= 2.44, SD= .96), optimism was high (M= 3.03, SD= .89), and pessimism was moderate (M=2.80, SD= .73). Gender-specific analyses revealed statistically significant differences; males showed higher levels of existential vacuum (F = 40.136, p<.00) and optimism (F = 196.548, p<.00), whereas females exhibited greater pessimism (F = 379.674, p<.05). Additionally, the study found a negative and statistically significant correlation between existential vacuum and optimism (r = -.09, P<.00), and a positive and statistically significant correlation between existential vacuum and pessimism (r = .19, P<.00). The study concluded that enhancing individuals' levels of optimism is crucial due to its role in providing meaning to life and reducing existential vacuum.