The effect of meaning in life as a resilience factor among adolescents

Abstract

Study 1 validated the Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale (MEMS) in the Chinese adolescent population. The study recruited 733 adolescents in Hong Kong. The validation showed good reliability and validity. The MEMS could separately and reliably assess the three factors of comprehension, purpose, and mattering of meaning in life (MIL) and each subscale showed high internal consistency. The confirmatory factor analysis supported the three-factor and the bi-factor models. The MEMS showed a strong relationship with another MIL measure and its subscales showed differential relationships with theoretically related variables: self-concept clarity, behavioural activation, and spirituality. The results were similar with that found by George and Park (2017), indicating the tripartite view of MIL was supported. Study 2 explored the development of MIL of adolescents and its effect as a resilience factor. Out of the 733 adolescents, 67 responded to both phases of the longitudinal study. The study found no significant difference in the level of MIL between early and late adolescence. The overall MIL in both groups increased significantly after one year but the pattern of change differed. Also, the mediation analysis supported the impact of MIL as a resilience factor as the level of perceived stress at follow-up was one route through which the presence of MIL at baseline was associated with better psychological well-being (PWB) at follow-up, which meant MIL could reduce perceived stress caused by stressors appearing later to improve PWB.