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On the Conflation of Purpose and Meaning in Life: A Qualitative Study of High School and College Student Conceptions

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Bibliographic Details
Title: On the Conflation of Purpose and Meaning in Life: A Qualitative Study of High School and College Student Conceptions
Language: English
Authors: Ratner, Kaylin, Burrow, Anthony L., Burd, Kayla A., Hill, Patrick L.
Source: Applied Developmental Science. 2021 25(4):364-384.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 21
Publication Date: 2021
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools
Secondary Education
Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Comparative Analysis, Content Analysis, High School Students, College Students, Self Concept, Student Attitudes, Intervention, Philosophy, Well Being, Spiritual Development, Futures (of Society), Motivation, Prosocial Behavior, Computational Linguistics
DOI: 10.1080/10888691.2019.1659140
ISSN: 1088-8691
Abstract: A minimal amount of information is known about how adolescents and emerging adults construe purpose and meaning in life, leaving many researchers to assume youth think about these constructs consistent with scientific understandings. In this preregistered study, we compared adolescent and emerging adult conceptions of purpose and meaning using directed content analysis. High school and college students were randomly assigned to write about purpose, meaning, or a control topic. Themes mentioned within the written samples did not significantly differ across purpose and meaning conditions, and this pattern did not significantly vary between adolescents and emerging adults. However, many who wrote about meaning mentioned purpose explicitly, suggesting nuanced differentiation. These findings can inform how purpose and meaning are studied and the development of future interventions.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2021
Accession Number: EJ1317507
Database: ERIC
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Description
Abstract:A minimal amount of information is known about how adolescents and emerging adults construe purpose and meaning in life, leaving many researchers to assume youth think about these constructs consistent with scientific understandings. In this preregistered study, we compared adolescent and emerging adult conceptions of purpose and meaning using directed content analysis. High school and college students were randomly assigned to write about purpose, meaning, or a control topic. Themes mentioned within the written samples did not significantly differ across purpose and meaning conditions, and this pattern did not significantly vary between adolescents and emerging adults. However, many who wrote about meaning mentioned purpose explicitly, suggesting nuanced differentiation. These findings can inform how purpose and meaning are studied and the development of future interventions.
ISSN:1088-8691
DOI:10.1080/10888691.2019.1659140