Research Article
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Viewing Meaning in Life in Three Generations: A Qualitative Study in Turkey

Year 2023, Volume: 13 Issue: 71, 409 - 428, 29.12.2023

Samet Şahin Zekavet Kabasakal

https://doi.org/10.17066/tpdrd.1205390_1

Abstract

The aim of this study was to understand meaning in life as a phenomenon in three different stages of life. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the similarities and differences in the way those in emerging, middle and late adulthood from different families view and experience meaning in life. In the 14 Turkish families who participated in this study, the children were in emerging adulthood, the parents in middle adulthood and the grandparents in late adulthood. The data were collected through one-on-one semi-structured interviews. Based on the questions of the semi-structured questionnaire, five main themes were identified, and the data were analyzed in view of these five themes. The main themes identified were: sources of meaning, meaningful life experiences, search for meaning, goals in life and present meaning. The emerged categories were presented separately for three developmental stages. The results were discussed in light of the literature and some suggestions were made for future research.

Keywords

meaning in life emerging adulthood middle adulthood late adulthood qualitative study

References

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  • Baltes, P. B. (1987). Theoretical propositions of life-span developmental psychology: On the dynamics between growth and decline. Developmental Psychology, 23, 611–626. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.23.5.611
  • Baumeister, R. F. (1991). Meanings of Life. Guilford Press.
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  • Brassai, L., Piko, B. F., & Steger, M. F. (2011). Meaning in life: Is it a protective factor for adolescents’ psychological health? International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 18, 44-51. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12529-010-9089-6
  • Chamberlain, K. & Zika, S. (1988). Religiosity, life meaning and wellbeing: Some relationships in a sample of women. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 27(3), 411-420. https://doi.org/10.2307/1387379
  • Creed, P. A., Fallon, T., & Hood, M. (2009). The relationship between career adaptability, person and situation variables, and career concerns in young adults. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 74(2), 219-229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2008.12.004
  • Cross, S. & Markus, H. (1991). Possible selves across the life span. Human Development, 34(4), 230–255. https://doi.org/10.1159/000277058
  • Czekierda, K., Banik, A., Park, C. L., & Luszczynska, A. (2017). Meaning in life and physical health: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Health Psychology Review, 11(4), 387–418. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2017.1327325
  • De Vogler, K. L. & Ebersole, P. (1981). Adults’ meaning in life. Psychological Reports, 49(1), 87–90. https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.1981.49.1.87
  • Debats, D. L. (1999). Sources of meaning: an investigation of significant commitments in life. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 39(4), 30–57. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022167899394003
  • Deci, E. L. & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227–268. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1104_01
  • Demirbaş Çelik, N. (2016). Üniversite öğrencilerinin yaşamda anlam ve yaşam amaçları arasındaki ilişki. Mediterranean Journal of Humanities, 4(1), 133-141. https://doi.org/10.13114/MJH.2016119294
  • DeWitz, S. J. (2004). Exploring the relationship between self-efficacy beliefs and purpose in life [Doctoral dissertation, The Ohio State University].
  • Dezutter, J., Waterman, A. S., Schwartz, S. J., Luyckx, K., Beyers, W., Meca, A., … Caraway, S. J. (2013). Meaning in life in emerging adulthood: A person-oriented approach. Journal of Personality, 82(1), 57-68. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12033
  • Duckworth, A. L., Steen, T. A., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2005). Positive psychology in clinical practice. Annual Reviews of Clinical Psychology, 1(1), 629-651. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.1.102803.144154
  • Ebersole, P. (1998). Types and depth of written life meanings. In P. T. P. Wong & P. S. Fry (Eds.). The human quest for meaning: A handbook of psychological research and clinical applications (p. 179–191). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.
  • Ebner, N. C., Freund, A. M., & Baltes, P. B. (2006). Developmental changes in personal goal orientation from young to late adulthood: From striving for gains to maintenance and prevention of losses. Psychology and Aging, 21(4), 664–678. https://doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.21.4.664
  • Erikson, E. H. (1968). Identity: Youth, and crisis. Norton.
  • Fave, A. D., Brdar, I., Wissing, M. P., & Vella-Brodrick, D. A. (2013). Sources and motives for personal meaning in adulthood. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 8(6), 517–529. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2013.830761
  • Feldman, R. S. (2012). Discovering the life span (2nd ed.). Pearson.
  • Frankl, V. E. (1946/1984). Man’s search for meaning (Rev. and updated). Washington Square Press/Pocket Books.
  • Glass, G. V., & Hopkins, K. D. (1984). Statistical methods in education and psychology. (2nd ed.). Prentice-Hall.
  • Heintzelman, S. J. & King, L. A. (2014). Life is pretty meaningful. American Psychologist, 69, 561–574. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0035049
  • Hill, C. E., Bowers, G., Costello, A., England, J., Houston-Ludlam, A., Knowlton, G., … Thompson, B. J. (2013). What’s it all about? A qualitative study of undergraduate students’ beliefs about meaning of life. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 53(3), 386–414. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022167813477733
  • Hofstede, G. (2001). Culture’s consequences: Comparing values, behaviors, institutions, and organizations across nations. Sage Publications.
  • King, L. A., Hicks, J. A., Krull, J. L., & Del Gaiso, A. K. (2006). Positive affect and the experience of meaning in life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 90(1), 179–196. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.90.1.179
  • Krause, N. (2007). Longitudinal study of social support and meaning in life. Psychology and Aging, 22(3), 456–469. https://doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.22.3.456
  • Kroger, J., Martinussen, M., & Marcia, J. E. (2010). Identity status change during adolescence and young adulthood: A meta-analysis. Journal of Adolescence, 33(5). 683-98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2009.11.002
  • Lachman, M. E. (2004). Development in midlife. Annual Review of Psychology, 55(1), 305-331. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.55.090902.141521
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  • Lambert, N. M., Stillman, T. F., Baumeister, R. F., Fincham, F. R., Hicks, J. A., & Graham, S. M. (2010). Family as a salient source of meaning in young adulthood. Journal of Positive Psychology, 5, 367–376. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2010.516616
  • Lambert, N. M., Stillman, T. F., Hicks, J. A., Kamble, S., Baumeister, R. F., & Fincham, F. D. (2013). To belong is to matter: sense of belonging enhances meaning in life. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 39(11), 1418-1427. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167213499186
  • Lawton, M. P., Moss, M. S., Winter, L., & Hoffman, C. (2002). Motivation in later life: Personal projects and wellbeing. Psychology and Aging, 17, 539–547. https://doi.org/10.1037//0882-7974.17.4.539
  • Mascaro, N. & Rosen, D. H. (2005). Existential meaning’s role in the enhancement of hope and prevention of depressive symptoms. Journal of Personality, 73(4), 985–1014. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2005.00336.x
  • McHugh, M. L. (2012). Interrater reliability: The kappa statistic. Biochemia Medica, 22(3), 276-282.
  • Meier, A. & Edwards, H. (1974). Purpose-In-Life test: Age and sex differences. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 30, 384–386. https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-4679(197407)30:3<384::AID-JCLP2270300351>3.0.CO;2-V
  • O’Connor, K. & Chamberlain, K. (1996). Dimensions of life meaning: A qualitative investigation at mid-life. British Journal of Psychology, 87(3), 461–477. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8295.1996.tb02602.x
  • Park, C. L. (2010). Making sense of the meaning literature: An integrative review of meaning making and its effects on adjustment to stressful life events. Psychological Bulletin, 136(2), 257–301. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0018301 
  • Park, N., Park, M., & Peterson, C. (2010). When is search for meaning related to life satisfaction? Applied Psychology: Health and Wellbeing, 2(1), 1-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1758-0854.2009.01024.x
  • Patton, M. Q. (2005). Qualitative research. In B.S. Everitt & D.C. Howell (Eds.). Encyclopedia of statistics in behavioral science (p. 1633-1636). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/0470013192.bsa514
  • Peterson, C. & Park, N. (2014). Meaning and positive psychology. International Journal of Existential Psychology and Psychotherapy, 5(1), 2-8.
  • Pinquart, M. (2002). Creating and maintaining purpose in life in old age: A meta-analysis. Ageing International, 27(2), 90–114. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-002-1004-2
  • Prager, E. (1996). Exploring personal meaning in an age-differentiated Australian sample: Another look at the Sources of Meaning Profile (SOMP). Journal of Aging Studies, 10(2), 117-136. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0890-4065(96)90009-2
  • Reker, G. T. (2005). Meaning in life of young, middle-aged, and older adults: Factorial validity, age, and gender invariance of the Personal Meaning Index (PMI). Personality and Individual Differences, 38, 71-85. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2004.03.010
  • Reker, G. T. & Wong, P. T. P. (1988). Aging as an individual process: Toward a theory of personal meaning. In J. E. Birren & V. L. Bengtson (Eds.). Emergent theories of aging (p. 214–246). Springer Publishing Co.
  • Robak, R. W. & Griffin, P. W. (2000). Purpose in life: What is its relationship to happiness, depression, and grieving? North American Journal of Psychology, 2, 113–120.
  • Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(6), 1069-1081. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.57.6.1069
  • Ryff, C. D. & Essex, M. J. (1992). The interpretation of life experience and well-being: the sample case of relocation. Psychology and Aging, 7, 507-517. https://doi.org/10.1037//0882-7974.7.4.507
  • Santrock, J. W. (2011). Life-span development (13th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
  • Schnell, T. (2009). The Sources of Meaning and Meaning in Life Questionnaire (SoMe): Relations to demographics and well-being. Journal of Positive Psychology, 4, 483-499. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17439760903271074
  • Sherman, A. C., Simonton, S., Latif, U., & Lew, B. (2010). Effects of global meaning and illness-specific meaning on health outcomes among breast cancer patients. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 33(5), 364-377. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-010-9267-7
  • Steger, M. F. & Frazier, P. (2005). Meaning in Life: One Link in the Chain from Religiousness to Well-Being. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52(4), 574–582. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.52.4.574
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Year 2023, Volume: 13 Issue: 71, 409 - 428, 29.12.2023

Samet Şahin Zekavet Kabasakal

https://doi.org/10.17066/tpdrd.1205390_1

Abstract

Keywords

meaning in life emerging adulthood middle adulthood late adulthood qualitative study

References

  • Arnett, J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American Psychologist, 55, 469-480. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.5.469
  • Baltes, P. B. (1987). Theoretical propositions of life-span developmental psychology: On the dynamics between growth and decline. Developmental Psychology, 23, 611–626. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.23.5.611
  • Baumeister, R. F. (1991). Meanings of Life. Guilford Press.
  • Bhattacharya, A. (2011). Meaning in Life: A Qualitative Inquiry into the Life of Young Adults. Psychological Studies, 56(3), 280- 288. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-011-0091-0
  • Brassai, L., Piko, B. F., & Steger, M. F. (2011). Meaning in life: Is it a protective factor for adolescents’ psychological health? International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 18, 44-51. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12529-010-9089-6
  • Chamberlain, K. & Zika, S. (1988). Religiosity, life meaning and wellbeing: Some relationships in a sample of women. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 27(3), 411-420. https://doi.org/10.2307/1387379
  • Creed, P. A., Fallon, T., & Hood, M. (2009). The relationship between career adaptability, person and situation variables, and career concerns in young adults. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 74(2), 219-229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2008.12.004
  • Cross, S. & Markus, H. (1991). Possible selves across the life span. Human Development, 34(4), 230–255. https://doi.org/10.1159/000277058
  • Czekierda, K., Banik, A., Park, C. L., & Luszczynska, A. (2017). Meaning in life and physical health: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Health Psychology Review, 11(4), 387–418. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2017.1327325
  • De Vogler, K. L. & Ebersole, P. (1981). Adults’ meaning in life. Psychological Reports, 49(1), 87–90. https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.1981.49.1.87
  • Debats, D. L. (1999). Sources of meaning: an investigation of significant commitments in life. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 39(4), 30–57. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022167899394003
  • Deci, E. L. & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227–268. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1104_01
  • Demirbaş Çelik, N. (2016). Üniversite öğrencilerinin yaşamda anlam ve yaşam amaçları arasındaki ilişki. Mediterranean Journal of Humanities, 4(1), 133-141. https://doi.org/10.13114/MJH.2016119294
  • DeWitz, S. J. (2004). Exploring the relationship between self-efficacy beliefs and purpose in life [Doctoral dissertation, The Ohio State University].
  • Dezutter, J., Waterman, A. S., Schwartz, S. J., Luyckx, K., Beyers, W., Meca, A., … Caraway, S. J. (2013). Meaning in life in emerging adulthood: A person-oriented approach. Journal of Personality, 82(1), 57-68. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12033
  • Duckworth, A. L., Steen, T. A., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2005). Positive psychology in clinical practice. Annual Reviews of Clinical Psychology, 1(1), 629-651. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.1.102803.144154
  • Ebersole, P. (1998). Types and depth of written life meanings. In P. T. P. Wong & P. S. Fry (Eds.). The human quest for meaning: A handbook of psychological research and clinical applications (p. 179–191). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.
  • Ebner, N. C., Freund, A. M., & Baltes, P. B. (2006). Developmental changes in personal goal orientation from young to late adulthood: From striving for gains to maintenance and prevention of losses. Psychology and Aging, 21(4), 664–678. https://doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.21.4.664
  • Erikson, E. H. (1968). Identity: Youth, and crisis. Norton.
  • Fave, A. D., Brdar, I., Wissing, M. P., & Vella-Brodrick, D. A. (2013). Sources and motives for personal meaning in adulthood. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 8(6), 517–529. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2013.830761
  • Feldman, R. S. (2012). Discovering the life span (2nd ed.). Pearson.
  • Frankl, V. E. (1946/1984). Man’s search for meaning (Rev. and updated). Washington Square Press/Pocket Books.
  • Glass, G. V., & Hopkins, K. D. (1984). Statistical methods in education and psychology. (2nd ed.). Prentice-Hall.
  • Heintzelman, S. J. & King, L. A. (2014). Life is pretty meaningful. American Psychologist, 69, 561–574. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0035049
  • Hill, C. E., Bowers, G., Costello, A., England, J., Houston-Ludlam, A., Knowlton, G., … Thompson, B. J. (2013). What’s it all about? A qualitative study of undergraduate students’ beliefs about meaning of life. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 53(3), 386–414. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022167813477733
  • Hofstede, G. (2001). Culture’s consequences: Comparing values, behaviors, institutions, and organizations across nations. Sage Publications.
  • King, L. A., Hicks, J. A., Krull, J. L., & Del Gaiso, A. K. (2006). Positive affect and the experience of meaning in life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 90(1), 179–196. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.90.1.179
  • Krause, N. (2007). Longitudinal study of social support and meaning in life. Psychology and Aging, 22(3), 456–469. https://doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.22.3.456
  • Kroger, J., Martinussen, M., & Marcia, J. E. (2010). Identity status change during adolescence and young adulthood: A meta-analysis. Journal of Adolescence, 33(5). 683-98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2009.11.002
  • Lachman, M. E. (2004). Development in midlife. Annual Review of Psychology, 55(1), 305-331. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.55.090902.141521
  • Lambert, N. M., Baumeister, R. F., Stillman, T. F., & Finchman, F. D. (2012). Family and meaning: Examining the four needs for meaning as mediators. International Journal of Existential Psychology and Psychotherapy, 4(1), 14.
  • Lambert, N. M., Stillman, T. F., Baumeister, R. F., Fincham, F. R., Hicks, J. A., & Graham, S. M. (2010). Family as a salient source of meaning in young adulthood. Journal of Positive Psychology, 5, 367–376. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2010.516616
  • Lambert, N. M., Stillman, T. F., Hicks, J. A., Kamble, S., Baumeister, R. F., & Fincham, F. D. (2013). To belong is to matter: sense of belonging enhances meaning in life. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 39(11), 1418-1427. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167213499186
  • Lawton, M. P., Moss, M. S., Winter, L., & Hoffman, C. (2002). Motivation in later life: Personal projects and wellbeing. Psychology and Aging, 17, 539–547. https://doi.org/10.1037//0882-7974.17.4.539
  • Mascaro, N. & Rosen, D. H. (2005). Existential meaning’s role in the enhancement of hope and prevention of depressive symptoms. Journal of Personality, 73(4), 985–1014. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2005.00336.x
  • McHugh, M. L. (2012). Interrater reliability: The kappa statistic. Biochemia Medica, 22(3), 276-282.
  • Meier, A. & Edwards, H. (1974). Purpose-In-Life test: Age and sex differences. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 30, 384–386. https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-4679(197407)30:3<384::AID-JCLP2270300351>3.0.CO;2-V
  • O’Connor, K. & Chamberlain, K. (1996). Dimensions of life meaning: A qualitative investigation at mid-life. British Journal of Psychology, 87(3), 461–477. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8295.1996.tb02602.x
  • Park, C. L. (2010). Making sense of the meaning literature: An integrative review of meaning making and its effects on adjustment to stressful life events. Psychological Bulletin, 136(2), 257–301. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0018301 
  • Park, N., Park, M., & Peterson, C. (2010). When is search for meaning related to life satisfaction? Applied Psychology: Health and Wellbeing, 2(1), 1-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1758-0854.2009.01024.x
  • Patton, M. Q. (2005). Qualitative research. In B.S. Everitt & D.C. Howell (Eds.). Encyclopedia of statistics in behavioral science (p. 1633-1636). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/0470013192.bsa514
  • Peterson, C. & Park, N. (2014). Meaning and positive psychology. International Journal of Existential Psychology and Psychotherapy, 5(1), 2-8.
  • Pinquart, M. (2002). Creating and maintaining purpose in life in old age: A meta-analysis. Ageing International, 27(2), 90–114. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-002-1004-2
  • Prager, E. (1996). Exploring personal meaning in an age-differentiated Australian sample: Another look at the Sources of Meaning Profile (SOMP). Journal of Aging Studies, 10(2), 117-136. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0890-4065(96)90009-2
  • Reker, G. T. (2005). Meaning in life of young, middle-aged, and older adults: Factorial validity, age, and gender invariance of the Personal Meaning Index (PMI). Personality and Individual Differences, 38, 71-85. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2004.03.010
  • Reker, G. T. & Wong, P. T. P. (1988). Aging as an individual process: Toward a theory of personal meaning. In J. E. Birren & V. L. Bengtson (Eds.). Emergent theories of aging (p. 214–246). Springer Publishing Co.
  • Robak, R. W. & Griffin, P. W. (2000). Purpose in life: What is its relationship to happiness, depression, and grieving? North American Journal of Psychology, 2, 113–120.
  • Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(6), 1069-1081. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.57.6.1069
  • Ryff, C. D. & Essex, M. J. (1992). The interpretation of life experience and well-being: the sample case of relocation. Psychology and Aging, 7, 507-517. https://doi.org/10.1037//0882-7974.7.4.507
  • Santrock, J. W. (2011). Life-span development (13th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
  • Schnell, T. (2009). The Sources of Meaning and Meaning in Life Questionnaire (SoMe): Relations to demographics and well-being. Journal of Positive Psychology, 4, 483-499. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17439760903271074
  • Sherman, A. C., Simonton, S., Latif, U., & Lew, B. (2010). Effects of global meaning and illness-specific meaning on health outcomes among breast cancer patients. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 33(5), 364-377. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-010-9267-7
  • Steger, M. F. & Frazier, P. (2005). Meaning in Life: One Link in the Chain from Religiousness to Well-Being. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52(4), 574–582. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.52.4.574
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There are 64 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Psychology
Journal Section Makaleler
Authors

Samet Şahin 0000-0001-5961-9447

Zekavet Kabasakal 0000-0002-3450-1060

Publication Date December 29, 2023
Published in Issue Year 2023 Volume: 13 Issue: 71

Cite

APA Şahin, S., & Kabasakal, Z. (2023). Viewing Meaning in Life in Three Generations: A Qualitative Study in Turkey. Turkish Psychological Counseling and Guidance Journal, 13(71), 409-428. https://doi.org/10.17066/tpdrd.1205390_1

!! From 30 November 2023, English language proofreading will be required for accepted articles to ensure language quality.