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The Search for Purpose in Life: an Exploration of Purpose, the Search Process, and Purpose Anxiety

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University of Pennsylvania ScholarlyCommons Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) Capstone Projects Capstones 8-2014 The Search for Purpose in Life: An Exploration of Purpose, the Search Process, and Purpose Anxiety Larissa Rainey University of Pennsylvania, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone Part of the Psychology Commons Rainey, Larissa, "The Search for Purpose in Life: An Exploration of Purpose, the Search Process, and Purpose Anxiety" (2014). Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) Capstone Projects. 60. https://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/60 This paper is posted at ScholarlyCommons. https://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/60 For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Search for Purpose in Life: An Exploration of Purpose, the Search Process, and Purpose Anxiety Abstract This paper is concerned with the search for purpose—defined as the attempt ot find or enact one’s unique purpose in life. While much is known about the benefits of a purposeful existence (i.e., higher levels of happiness, life satisfaction and general well-being, reduced risk for psychopathologies, and greater physical health), far less is known about the effects of the search process. The first half of this document reviews what psychologists know about purpose, the benefits of purpose, and the search for purpose. The second half explores a new construct: purpose anxiety, a term meant to encapsulate the negative ramifications of the struggle for purpose in life. It also presents the findings of an original research study conducted to gather empirical data on purpose, the search for purpose, and purpose anxiety as perceived and experienced by American adults. Results indicated that the vast majority of people crave a sense of purpose in life, but nearly always encounter purpose anxiety during their search process, no matter the searcher’s age. Results also showed that purpose anxiety significantly hampers well-being—both vo erall and each element of PERMA. This project in no way intends to suggest that individuals should avoid searching for purpose. Rather, it merely means to enhance psychology’s knowledge of the search process so that interventions may be developed to prevent or mitigate the psychological distress that so often accompanies the struggle for purpose in life. Keywords Purpose, the search for purpose, purpose anxiety, meaning Disciplines Psychology This thesis or dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: https://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/60 Running Head: THE SEARCH FOR PURPOSE IN LIFE 1 The Search for Purpose in Life: An Exploration of Purpose, the Search Process, and Purpose Anxiety Larissa Yvonne Rainey University of Pennsylvania A Capstone Project Submitted In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Applied Positive Psychology Advisor: Carin L. Rockind August 1, 2014 THE SEARCH FOR PURPOSE IN LIFE 2 The Search for Purpose in Life: An Exploration of Purpose, the Search Process, and Purpose Anxiety Larissa Yvonne Rainey [email protected] Capstone Project Master of Applied Positive Psychology University of Pennsylvania Advisor: Carin L. Rockind August 1, 2014 Abstract This paper is concerned with the search for purpose—defined as the attempt to find or enact one’s unique purpose in life. While much is known about the benefits of a purposeful existence (i.e., higher levels of happiness, life satisfaction and general well-being, reduced risk for psychopathologies, and greater physical health), far less is known about the effects of the search process. The first half of this document reviews what psychologists know about purpose, the benefits of purpose, and the search for purpose. The second half explores a new construct: purpose anxiety, a term meant to encapsulate the negative ramifications of the struggle for purpose in life. It also presents the findings of an original research study conducted to gather empirical data on purpose, the search for purpose, and purpose anxiety as perceived and experienced by American adults. Results indicated that the vast majority of people crave a sense of purpose in life, but nearly always encounter purpose anxiety during their search process, no matter the searcher’s age. Results also showed that purpose anxiety significantly hampers well- being—both overall and each element of PERMA. This project in no way intends to suggest that individuals should avoid searching for purpose. Rather, it merely means to enhance psychology’s knowledge of the search process so that interventions may be developed to prevent or mitigate the psychological distress that so often accompanies the struggle for purpose in life. Keywords: Purpose, the search for purpose, purpose anxiety, meaning THE SEARCH FOR PURPOSE IN LIFE 3 Acknowledgements Christopher Peterson once famously summarized the field of positive psychology in three words: “other people matter” (Peterson, 2006, p. 249). Over the course of this year, I have come to know that this is true and that almost nothing that is great in life is experienced or accomplished in isolation. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the multitude of people who have helped me with this project: Mom and Dad, without you two, none of this would have been possible. Words cannot express how thankful I am for your support—not only through this Capstone process, but also through this year in MAPP in general. MAPP has been the greatest gift, and I will be forever grateful for it. Thank you for your endless love, encouragement, and help in achieving my dreams. Jess and Chris—you two inspire me to do and be more than I think I am capable of doing or being. Thank you for being such wonderful role models. You all are the best family anyone could ask for. Keith, I don't think I would have been able to make it through this journey without you. Thank you for always being there to listen, make me laugh, and remind me to enjoy the process. Thank you for being the amazing person you are. To my MAPP family—my classmates, professors, assistant instructors, and the MAPP alumni: thank you all for sharing this process with me. I have been blown away by the amount of help, love, encouragement, and support you all so selflessly give. I feel so honored to be a part of this community. And a very special thanks to all of you who helped me develop Capstone ideas. You helped me more than you know! To Jess, Katrina, and Natalya—thank you so much for all the laughs, advice, and inspiration. Our check-in calls definitely made the physical distance of this Capstone process much easier. Love you girls so much! THE SEARCH FOR PURPOSE IN LIFE 4 And a huge thank you to all the family, friends, MAPP alumni, and complete strangers who took and helped distribute my survey! This project definitely would not have been possible without your help. Bob, whether you know it or not, you changed my life. I cannot thank you enough for introducing me to positive psychology, supporting me through the MAPP application process, and encouraging me through every phase of this year. Thank you so much for helping me find and realize my passion. Peggy—you are one of the most selfless, wonderful, and supportive teachers I have ever had. Thank you for all your help in submitting my IRB application, setting up my study, and analyzing my data. Honestly, I never would have been able to create this Capstone without you. Thank you so much for being my research advisor. Finally, to Carin—my Capstone advisor—your ambition, passion, and love for life inspires me. I am so grateful for all the encouragement and guidance you have given me throughout this process. Thank you for reading and editing my endless array of pages, helping me refine my ideas, and enabling me to create a project that I am truly proud of. This paper would not be what it is without you. THE SEARCH FOR PURPOSE IN LIFE 5 Table of Contents I. INTRODUCTION 7 The Two Questions of Purpose 8 Rationale for the Present Study 9 An Introduction to Positive Psychology 11 The PERMA Theory of Well-being 13 II. PURPOSE 15 Defining Purpose: What Is It? 16 Distinguishing “Purpose” from “Meaning” 20 Who Experiences Purpose? 22 Can People Have Multiple Purposes? 25 III. WHY IS PURPOSE IMPORTANT? 25 The Psychological Benefits of Purpose 26 Purpose Fulfills Basic Human Needs 27 Purpose Stimulates Positive Prospections 29 Purpose Enhances Each Element of Well-being 31 The Physiological Benefits of Purpose 33 Purpose Promotes the Expression of Genes Linked to Good Health 35 Purpose Reduces Stress Levels 36 IV. THE SEARCH FOR PURPOSE 37 What Motivates an Individual to Search for Purpose? 37 How Does an Individual “Find” Purpose in Life? 38 The Effects of Searching for Purpose in Life 40 V. PURPOSE ANXIETY 44 Defining Purpose Anxiety 45 Why Might Purpose Anxiety Be Prevalent in Modern Society? 45 A More Widespread Fulfillment of Basic Needs 46 Longer Lifespans 47 A Shift in How People Define Their “True Selves” 48 What Might Contribute to or Exacerbate Purpose Anxiety? 49 Perception of Purpose as a Personal Choice 49 Tendency Toward Pessimism 52 Lack of Self-knowledge 53 Belief that Language Is Limited 53 Who Is Purpose Anxiety Likely to Affect? 55 Purpose Anxiety as a Vicious Cycle and Social Contagion 55 VI. THE STUDY 57 Understanding Purpose, the Search for Purpose, and Purpose Anxiety 57 Hypotheses 57 THE SEARCH FOR PURPOSE IN LIFE 6 Methods 58 Participants 58 Measures 59 Results 60 The Presence of Versus the Search for Purpose in Life 60 Purpose: General Findings about Purpose in Life 63 Purpose Anxiety 66 Discussion 79 Summary of Main Findings 79 Practical Implications: Potential Remedies for Purpose Anxiety 83 Limitations and Future Directions 85 Conclusion 86 VII.
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