Title
Meaning in life: an important factor for the psychological well-being of chronically ill patients?
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Psychiatry
Publication Date
11-1-2013
Document Type
Article
Subjects
Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Aged; Attitude to Health; Chronic Disease; Cluster Analysis; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Personal Satisfaction; Quality of Life; Questionnaires; Self Concept
Disciplines
Mental and Social Health | Psychiatry | Psychiatry and Psychology
Abstract
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.
DOI of Published Version
10.1037/a0034393
Source
Dezutter J, Casalin S, Wachholtz A, Luyckx K, Hekking J, Vandewiele W. Meaning in life: an important factor for the psychological well-being of chronically ill patients? Rehabil Psychol. 2013 Nov;58(4):334-41. doi: 10.1037/a0034393. Link to article on publisher's website
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Rehabilitation psychology
Related Resources
PubMed ID
24295525
Repository Citation
Dezutter, Jessie; Casalin, Sara; Wachholtz, Amy B.; Luyckx, Koen; Hekking, Jessica; and Vandewiele, Wim, "Meaning in life: an important factor for the psychological well-being of chronically ill patients?" (2013). Psychiatry Publications and Presentations. 705.
https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/psych_pp/705
