ISSN 1671-3710
CN 11-4766/R
主办:中国科学院心理研究所
出版:科学出版社

Advances in Psychological Science ›› 2016, Vol. 24 ›› Issue (12): 1854-1863.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1042.2016.01854

• Meta-Analysis • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The relationship between meaning in life and subjective well-being in China: A Meta-analysis

JIN Yuchang1; HE Mingcheng1; LI Junyi2   

  1. (1 School of Teacher Education and Psychology, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610066, China) (2 School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China)
  • Received:2015-05-02 Online:2016-12-15 Published:2016-12-15
  • Contact: JIN Yuchang, E-mail: jinyuchang@gmail.com

Abstract:

A meta-analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between meaning in life and subjective well-being. Forty-five relevant studies met the criteria of meta-analysis were taken into research. All studies included 51 independent samples with a total of 27291 participants. Results of meta-analysis showed that meaning in life has a positive correlation with subjective well-being (r = 0.505, p < 0.001), life satisfaction (r = 0.395, p < 0.001), and positive affect (r = 0.325, p < 0.001) significantly, while a negative relationship with negative affect (r = −0.195, p < 0.1). The relationship between meaning in life and subjective well- being was regulated by gender differences and type of participants (e.g. gender differences could significantly positively adjust this relationship). Results suggested that meaning in life could predict subjective well- being effectively.

Key words: meaning in life, presence of meaning, search for meaning, subjective well-being, life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect