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The Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale: a Tripartite Approach to Measuring Meaning in Life

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The Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale: a Tripartite Approach to Measuring Meaning in Life See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305679068 The Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale: A tripartite approach to measuring meaning in life Article in The Journal of Positive Psychology · July 2016 DOI: 10.1080/17439760.2016.1209546 CITATIONS READS 12 1,069 2 authors: Login George Crystal L Park University of Connecticut University of Connecticut 18 PUBLICATIONS 256 CITATIONS 247 PUBLICATIONS 10,505 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Attachment and adaptation to breast cancer View project All content following this page was uploaded by Crystal L Park on 17 January 2018. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. The Journal of Positive Psychology Dedicated to furthering research and promoting good practice ISSN: 1743-9760 (Print) 1743-9779 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rpos20 The Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale: A tripartite approach to measuring meaning in life Login S. George & Crystal L. Park To cite this article: Login S. George & Crystal L. Park (2016): The Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale: A tripartite approach to measuring meaning in life, The Journal of Positive Psychology, DOI: 10.1080/17439760.2016.1209546 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2016.1209546 Published online: 26 Jul 2016. Submit your article to this journal Article views: 79 View related articles View Crossmark data Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=rpos20 Download by: [University of Connecticut] Date: 22 August 2016, At: 18:04 THE JOURNAL OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY, 2016 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2016.1209546 The Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale: A tripartite approach to measuring meaning in life Login S. George and Crystal L. Park Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA ABSTRACT ARTICLE HISTORY To address conceptual difficulties and advance research on meaning in life (MIL), it may be useful Received 22 February 2016 to adopt a tripartite view of meaning as consisting of comprehension, purpose, and mattering. This Accepted 14 June 2016 paper discusses the development of the Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale (MEMS), which KEYWORDS explicitly assesses these three subconstructs. Results from three samples of undergraduates showed Meaning; purpose; the MEMS to have favorable psychometric properties (e.g. good factor structure and reliability) and measurement; scale demonstrated that it can effectively differentiate the three subconstructs of meaning. Regression development; existentialism and relative importance analyses showed that each MEMS subscale carried predictive power for relevant variables and other meaning measures. Additionally, the MEMS subscales demonstrated theoretically consistent, differential associations with other variables (e.g. dogmatism, behavioral activation, and spirituality). Overall, results suggest that the MEMS may offer more conceptual precision than existing measures, and it may open new avenues of research and facilitate a more nuanced understanding of MIL. Burgeoning research on meaning in life (MIL) suggests make sense (Heintzelman & King, 2014), having goals (Ryff, that it is an important construct, a better understanding of 1989), engagement in activities that are personally val- which may inform many topics within and outside of pos- ued (Scheier et al., 2006), having an ‘integrated and con- itive psychology (Hicks & Routledge, 2013). For example, sistent understanding of self, others, and life in general’ MIL is often seen as a ‘central human motive’ (Heintzelman (Reker, 2000, p. 48), having a life aim (McKnight & Kashdan, & King, 2014), and it is implicated in research on topics 2009), feeling fulfillment (Reker & Wong, 1988), and expe- such as eudaimonic well-being (Ryan & Deci, 2001), values riencing a sense of significance (Crumbaugh & Maholick, (Baumeister, 1991), beliefs (Koltko-Rivera, 2004), goals and 1964). These varying conceptualizations hinder research goal pursuit (McKnight & Kashdan, 2009), mental health by impeding the ability to generate accurate predictions (Steger, 2012), physical health (Park, 2012), and coping regarding MIL and to compare results across studies. (Park, 2010). Unfortunately, the current MIL literature is Vague and varying conceptualizations also prevent hampered by conceptual problems and corresponding integration of MIL research with the broader meaning lit- measurement problems (George & Park, 2016; Leontiev, erature. MIL research can be seen as a subset of a broader 2013). The present paper discusses the development of a literature that includes additional research topics such as new measure of MIL designed to address such problems meaning frameworks (Proulx & Inzlicht, 2012), meaning in the literature and foster advancements in MIL research. making and coping (Park, 2010), goals and goal pursuit (Carver & Scheier, 1998), identity (McAdams, 2008), and terror management theory (Greenberg, Pyszczynski, & Conceptualizing MIL Solomon, 1986). These literatures are closely tied to MIL Due to the abstract nature of MIL, its conceptualization has and integrating them would greatly further the under- always been problematic, posing significant challenges standing of MIL (see George & Park, 2016, for a review). for research (Hicks & King, 2009; Leontiev, 2013; Martela & Recently, a tripartite view of MIL has been gaining Steger, 2016). MIL has been defined in myriad ways, with momentum (George & Park, 2016; Heintzelman & King, specific definitional features depending on the theoretical 2014, p. 154; Martela & Steger, 2016). The tripartite view context in question. For example, definitions have high- highlights three key dimensions of MIL – comprehen- lighted aspects such as the intuitive feeling that things sion, purpose, and mattering – which capture much of CONTACT Login S. George [email protected] The present research was conducted at the University of Connecticut. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group 2 L. S. George AND C. L. PARK the variance in past MIL definitions. Further, the tripar- 1986; Little, 1999). These literatures have highlighted the tite view highlights the potential differences between existence of individual differences in the extent to which the dimensions, noting that although these dimensions individuals pursue valued goals, and that the pursuit of have been used interchangeably in the past, they may valued goals may contribute to well-being. be distinct (George & Park, 2016; Martela & Steger, 2016). Finally, the mattering subconstruct can be defined as Such a multidimensional view of MIL seems promising as the extent to which individuals feel that their existence it does not combine three potentially distinct dimensions is of significance, importance, and value in the world into a singular, more diffuse concept. Having more specific (Becker, 1973/1997; George & Park, 2014; King et al., 2006). dimensions may instead provide the flexibility and preci- Individuals with high levels of mattering feel that their sion needed to generate a more nuanced understanding existence is consequential and has profound and lasting regarding MIL. The tripartite view may thus provide better value, while those low in mattering feel their nonexistence conceptual clarity and easier integration of MIL with the would make little difference in the world. This subcon- broader meaning literature. struct is closely tied to the existential literature (Becker, 1973/1997; Yalom, 1980) that highlights the human desire A tripartite view of MIL for significance – despite the mortal and transitory nature MIL may be conceptualized as comprising three distinct of human life – and it is centrally implicated in terror man- but related subconstructs, comprehension, purpose, agement theory (Greenberg et al., 1986). Terror manage- and mattering (George & Park, 2016; King, Hicks, Krull, & ment theory suggests that the desire to gain and maintain Del Gaiso, 2006; Martela & Steger, 2016; Reker & Wong, a sense of significance in one’s life is an implicit part of 1988; Steger, 2012). MIL may be defined as the extent to much of human behavior. Mattering is similarly implicated which one’s life is experienced as making sense, as being in the literature on religion/spirituality, which highlights directed and motivated by valued goals, and as matter- that a central function of religion/spirituality is to provide ing in the world. The comprehension subconstruct can a sense of significance by allowing people to transcend the be defined as the extent to which individuals perceive a material and ephemeral aspects of existence (Park, 2013). sense of coherence and understanding regarding their The tripartite view thus pries apart MIL into three lives (Baumeister, 1991; Reker & Wong, 1988). Individuals constituent subconstructs, suggesting that such a multi- with high comprehension feel that their life makes sense dimensional view may facilitate a more nuanced under- and things in their life are clear and fit together well. In standing regarding MIL. Note that the tripartite view does contrast, individuals with low comprehension may expe- not necessarily imply that there are only three dimensions rience life and life experiences as incoherent, fragmented, to MIL. Rather, it focuses on comprehension, purpose,
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