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 (9): 1496-1503.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1042.2016.01496

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Will searching for meaning bring well-being?

YANG Qie1; CHENG Wei2; HE Wenjie3; HAN Buxin4; YANG Zhaoning1   

  1. (1 Department of Psychology, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, China)(2 Department of Education, Binzhou University, Binzhou 256600, China) (3 Center for Teacher Education Research at Beijing Normal University Key Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences at Universities, MOE, Beijing 100875, China) (4 Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China)
  • Received:2015-11-27 Online:2016-09-15 Published:2016-09-15
  • Contact: YANG Qie, E-mail: 331736220@qq.com

Abstract:

Studies on well-being have been derived from two general perspectives: the hedonic approach and the eudaimonic approach. “Flourishing”, being a newly holistic, comprehensive and structural standard for evaluating well-being, is receiving increasing attentions among researchers. Meaning in life is closely related to well-being. It reflects the value of existence and the purpose of life of an individual, has implications on one's motivation, and can be realized in one's actions. Meaning in life includes two dimensions, presence of meaning and search for meaning. “Presence of meaning” is positively related to increased well-being. While the relation between searching for meaning and well-being is negative, the negative relation has variability and transience characteristics. From the perspective of eudaimonia, although negative experiences and feelings reduce individual's current happiness, individuals can achieve their goals and self-worth in the process of searching for meaning, thus acquiring lasting well-being internally.

Key words: well-being, flourishing, eudaimonia, meaning in life, search for meaning