Summary:

What Predicts Changes in the Meaning in Life? — The Role of Searching for Meaning, Life Satisfaction, and Self-Compassion

Meaning in life has been recognized as a central component of one's well-being, with

distinctions between the search for meaning and a sense of presence of meaning.

The relationship between these dimensions, however, remains ambiguous, particularly over

time. This study examined whether the search for meaning predicts changes in the presence

of meaning and explored whether the baseline presence of meaning, life satisfaction, and

self-compassion go along with stronger changes in the presence of meaning over time.

In a sample of N = 1,583 individuals, the two dimensions of searching for meaning and

presence of meaning were assessed over two time points (4-6 months apart) and analyzed

using Latent Change Score Models (LCSMs).

The results revealed that higher search levels generally predicted greater increases in the presence of meaning over time. Likewise, higher levels in the presence of meaning also predicted higher increases in the search for meaning over time, suggesting a bidirectional reinforcement between searching for meaning and experiencing meaning. Importantly, distinct trajectories of these effects were found based on the baseline levels of search and presence. These findings underscore the complexity of meaning-making processes and highlight the need for tailored approaches in interventions aimed at fostering meaning in life.

Keywords: Meaning in Life, Searching for Meaning, Presence of Meaning, Life Satisfaction,

Self-compassion, Latent Change Score Models

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