The Psychology of Meaning in Life

Description

This book offers an inspiring exploration of current findings from the psychology of meaning in life, analysing cutting-edge research to propose practical, evidence-based applications. Schnell draws on psychological, philosophical and cognitive perspectives to explore basic concepts of meaning and introduce a multidimensional model of meaning in life. Written in an accessible style, this book covers a range of topics including the distinction between meaning and happiness, the impact of meaning on health and longevity, meaning in the workplace, and meaning-centred interventions. Each chapter ends with exercises to encourage self-reflection and measurement tools are presented throughout, including the author’s original Sources of Meaning and Meaning in Life Questionnaire (SoMe), to inspire the reader to consider the role of meaning in their own life. The Psychology of Meaning in Life is essential reading for students and practitioners of psychology, sociology, counselling, coaching and related disciplines, and for general readers interested in exploring the role of meaning in life. Cover Half Title Title Copyright Dedication Contents List of figures List of tables Acknowledgements 1 Searching for meaning? 1.1 Why a feel-good society is not a meaningful society 1.2 (Facing up to) questions of meaning 1.3 Know thyself! 1.4 Literature 2 Defining meaning 2.1 Etymology 2.2 Philosophical definition 2.3 Meaning in life: a multidimensional construct 2.4 A brief discourse: why achieving meaningfulness is a demanding task in our time 2.5 Know thyself! 2.6 Literature 3 Measuring meaning in life 3.1 In-depth research: qualitative studies 3.2 Broad-based research: quantitative measurement 3.3 At the interface: the SoMe-Card Method 3.4 Literature 4 Meaning as attribution 4.1 The hierarchic model of meaning 4.2 Vertical and horizontal coherence 4.3 “No man is an island”: the environment’s role 4.4 And how does it feel? 4.5 Know thyself! 4.6 Literature 5 Varieties of meaning 5.1 Interindividual differences in meaningfulness and sources of meaning 5.2 Meaning is dynamic: changes over the lifespan 5.3 Meaning in life and sources of meaning for men and women 5.4 Meaning in life, education and intelligence 5.5 Meaning is dynamic: changes across activities and days 5.6 A brief discourse: studying – often pointless, usually no fun? 5.7 Know thyself! 5.8 Literature 6 Sources of meaning 6.1 The strongest predictors of meaning 6.2 Breadth, balance and depth of sources of meaning 6.3 Many roads to meaning 6.4 Brief discourse: on worldview and meaning 6.5 Know thyself! 6.6 Literature 7 The social dimension of meaning in life 7.1 Asked directly: social relationships as primary sources of meaning 7.2 Family and friendship as sources of meaning? 7.3 Meaning and marital status 7.4 Children as a source of meaning 7.5 Social inclusion 7.6 From social inclusion to meaning – or vice versa? 7.7 Social inclusion at work 7.8 Know thyself! 7.9 Literature 8 Crises of meaning – when foundations shake 8.1 A lack of meaning 8.2 Are Western societies in a crisis of meaning? 8.3 Overcoming crises of meaning 8.4 A brief discourse: pilgrimage – on the way to meaning 8.5 Know thyself! 8.6 Literature 9 Existential indifference 9.1 Whatever! 9.2 How to assess existential indifference 9.3 Relationships and explanatory approaches 9.4 Ways out of indifference? 9.5 Know thyself! 9.6 Literature 10 Meaning and happiness 10.1 Hedonic and eudaimonic well-being 10.2 Meaning without happiness 10.3 Know thyself! 10.4 Literature 11 Meaning, health and illness 11.1 Can meaning in life improve your health? 11.2 From mind to body 11.3 “I can’t go on!” Crises of meaning prevent recovery 11.4 Posttraumatic growth 11.5 Know thyself! 11.6 Literature 12 Meaning-centred interventions 12.1 Gaining meaning from a meta-perspective – life reviews 12.2 Meaning-oriented psychotherapy 12.3 Know thyself! 12.4 Literature 13 Meaning in work 13.1 The search for meaning in work 13.2 What is meaningful work? 13.3 Correlates of meaningful work 13.4 You can’t save the world every day! Risks of meaningful work 13.5 The job as a source of meaning? 13.6 Brief discourse: voluntary work – meaningful commitment 13.7 Know thyself! 13.8 Literature 14 Outlook 14.1 Caught in the system? 14.2 Meaning is subjective – eudaimonia calls for justice 14.3 Literature Index