Costin & Vignoles JPSP.pdf (503.63 kB)
Meaning is about mattering: evaluating coherence, purpose, and existential mattering as precursors of meaning in life judgments
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 15:22 authored by Vlad CostinVlad Costin, Vivian VignolesVivian VignolesWhen people judge their lives as meaningful, what is this judgment about? Drawing on recent tripartite theoretical accounts of meaning in life (MIL), we tested the separate contributions of coherence (or comprehension), purpose, and existential mattering (or significance) as potential precursors of people’s self-reported evaluations of MIL. In Study 1 (N = 314 social media users), we developed brief acquiescence-free measures of these constructs, confirming that sense of coherence, purpose, mattering, and MIL judgments were distinct from each other and from related constructs (sense of control, belonging, self-esteem, self-competence, mood). In Study 2 (N = 168 students) and Study 3 (N = 442 Prolific Academic respondents; preregistered), we collected longitudinal data to test temporal relationships between coherence, purpose, mattering, and MIL judgments over a 1-month time lag. In both studies, sense of mattering consistently emerged as a significant precursor of MIL judgments, whereas sense of purpose and coherence did not. We conclude that researchers and practitioners should pay more attention to the relatively neglected dimension of existential mattering, beyond their more common emphases on coherence or purpose as bases of meaningfulness.
Funding
2011 Doctoral Training Grant (ESRC): International PhD Partnering Scheme’; G1033; Economic and Social Research Council; ES/J500173/1
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
Journal of Personality and Social PsychologyISSN
0022-3514Publisher
American Psychological AssociationExternal DOI
Issue
4Volume
118Page range
864-884Department affiliated with
- Psychology Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2018-10-08First Open Access (FOA) Date
2018-10-08First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2018-10-05Usage metrics
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