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Meaning in Life in Young Australian Adults: the Role of Volunteerism

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Meaning in Life in Young Australian Adults: the Role of Volunteerism Meaning in Life in Young Australian Adults: The Role of Volunteerism Juan Bentzvi Semo Groman Diplom Mediziner (Dipl. Med.) Médico Cirujano A thesis submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy at The University of Queensland in 2014 School of Education Abstract In 1938 Viktor Frankl introduced his anthropological, psychotherapeutic and philosophical system (Logotherapy and Existential Analysis) that revolves around the search for meaning in life (MIL). SinceViktor Frankl’s system inception, the body of published empirical and philosophical work has been vast. Moreover, recent research on MIL and its role in human psychology has seen unprecedented growth. Despite the positive impact of pro-social activities in modern societies, little is known about the relationship between volunteerism and MIL. The present research sought to answer three main questions by using quantitative and qualitative methodologies, namely, “Can MIL in young adults be elicited by volunteerism?”, “How do young Australian undergraduate university students differ in terms of their search for, and presence, of MIL?”, and “How do undergraduate Australian university students define the following concepts: Meaning in Life, Self-transcendence, Altruism and Volunteerism?” Three studies were designed for the research. In Study One the search and presence of MIL were measured with two internationally accepted empirical tools, the Purpose in Life test (PIL) and the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ). A scale to measure active and passive involvement, and motivation in volunteerism was developed. In study Two, the comprehension levels of MIL and related terms were investigated with a short qualitative instrument developed specifically for this purpose. In Study Three, the characteristics of individual MIL were explored in depth with two semi-structured interviews. The relevance of this study was to explore and enrich the scientific development of volunteerism programs to increase the degree of meaningfulness amongst young adults. The results show, firstly, that students who scored high levels of MIL have a notably stronger propensity to participate in volunteerism activities compared with other students with lower scores. Secondly, as measures of the search for and presence of MIL, the Purpose in Life test (PIL) and the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ), are incapable of seizing the idiosyncratic complexity of the individual’s MIL. Thirdly, a substantial number of young university undergraduate students in Australia are incapable of defining MIL-related terms such as Meaning in Life, Self-transcendence, Altruism and Volunteerism. Fourthly, MIL and happiness appear to be identified by undergraduate students as unequivocal complementary constructs. During semi-structured interviews, participants described the idea “to be happy” as the Holy Grail to be uncovered with the ownership of a house, a job, offspring and spending their lives “working hard” to achieve these goals. Volunteerism, activism and other pro-social activities were scarcely mentioned as short- and long-term purposes and ambitions. i As a result of this thesis, research opportunities with practical implications in the area of MIL have been identified. It is proposed that further investigations should examine what is really being measured when empirical tools, like the PIL and the MLQ are used to measure search and presence of MIL. Furthermore it is recommended to develop the short test created during this research to ascertain the comprehension levels of MIL in larger cohorts. Signposts identified during this research may contribute to the development and promotion of volunteerism programs to elicit MIL. ii Declaration by Author (All candidates to reproduce this section in their thesis verbatim) This thesis is composed of my original work, and contains no material previously published or written by another person except where due reference has been made in the text. I have clearly stated the contribution by others to jointly-authored works that I have included in my thesis. I have clearly stated the contribution of others to my thesis as a whole, including statistical assistance, survey design, data analysis, significant technical procedures, professional editorial advice, and any other original research work used or reported in my thesis. The content of my thesis is the result of work I have carried out since the commencement of my research higher degree candidature and does not include a substantial part of work that has been submitted to qualify for the award of any other degree or diploma in any university or other tertiary institution. I have clearly stated which parts of my thesis, if any, have been submitted to qualify for another award. I acknowledge that an electronic copy of my thesis must be lodged with the University Library and, subject to the General Award Rules of The University of Queensland, immediately made available for research and study in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968. I acknowledge that copyright of all material contained in my thesis resides with the copyright holder(s) of that material. Where appropriate I have obtained copyright permission from the copyright holder to reproduce material in this thesis. iii Publications during candidature No publications. Publications included in this thesis No publications included. iv Contributions by others to the thesis Professor Adrian Ashman, Associate Professor Annemaree Carroll, Dr David Geelan, and Pam Tupe. Professor Adrian Ashman and Associate Professor Annemaree Carroll provided assistance helping to define the purpose, scope, research instruments and methodologies of this thesis. Furthermore they provided support during the data analysis and professional editorial tasks. Dr David Geelan was consulted and provided recommendations regarding qualitative research methodology. Sara Fonseca designed the avatar “Vic”. Pam Tupe assisted with final editing and formatting of this thesis document. Statement of parts of the thesis submitted to qualify for the award of another degree None. v Acknowledgements The initial spark for this thesis sprang from the absence of two beautiful friends: Asher and Nick … Thank you wherever you are! This thesis does not reflect only my work. Professor Adrian Ashman encouraged me to start this research and although he was aware that he would be retiring from The University of Queensland during the process of writing the thesis, he continued giving wise support until the last day, during weekends and from remote areas with rudimentary access to power and telecommunications. The large number of drafts he reviewed bear witness to his patience, élan and his commitment to supporting students, which is still strong after 40 years of a brilliant career. Some people possess the rare characteristics of being intelligent, knowledgeable, and impeccably organized. Associate Professor Annemaree Carroll is one of those people. During the years of this collaboration, she not only guided and supported me with all the tasks required to finish a thesis but she found the patience, time, and sensibility to steer the process and navigate everything safely to the right port. I am, indeed, grateful and in debt to my mentors, Professors Ashman and Carroll, for everything they have done for me. During countless hours of conversations Dr Elizabeth Molnar introduced me to the humanistic kernel of meaning in life. Her wisdom, perseverance and encouragement are silently embossed in each page of this thesis. Associate Professor Shelley Dole, who posses a contagious optimism and a rare will to help others, made it possible to assess over 150 students in less than a week, I am deeply in debt to her. I also would like to thank Associate Professor Mohammed Allaudin and Associate Professor Elizabeth Mackinlay for opening the doors to interview some of their students. I would like to acknowledge Dr Alexandre Batthyány, the Director of the Viktor Frankl Institut in Vienna, for introducing me to papers from Viktor Frankl rarely mentioned in the literature. He also provided me access to his own non-published research papers and his brilliant ideas. I also want to thank Dr Robert C. Barnes from the Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy in Texas and Associate Professor Michael F. Steger from the Colorado State University for providing me with a copy of the Purpose in Life Test (PIL) and the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ). I have profited very much from conversations with Professor Enrique Semo in relation to Zygmunt Bauman. The central ideas from Bauman became an indispensable construction material of this thesis. For this and for Professor Semo’s continuous encouragement to finish this project, I would like to thank him very much. vi Many of my writings required “translation” and editing from Span-English to English. I would like to thank Barbara Bayne, Suzanne Borgonovo, Esther Semo, Rebecca Snarsky, and Pam Tupe for helping me with this intricate and often tedious task. Ultimately, I assume all the responsibility for the content of this thesis. The support of my family during this project has been incomparable. In the last four years there has not been one single day where Viktor Frankl was not present in our conversations and did not share breakfast, lunch, and dinner with us. I would like to thank them very much for their patience and hospitality to the new and unknown. Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the people who supported financially the evolution of this thesis, namely the Australian taxpayers.
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