Meaning in challenging times: Sense of meaning supports wellbeing despite pandemic stresses

Katherine Kero (Author), Anja Podlesek (Author), Voyko Kavcic (Author)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic created stress and trauma for many individuals. Traumatic experiences often trigger reflection on meaning in life, with subsequent growth or despair. This study evaluates the role of meaning in life in buffering stressors in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which the negative effects of COVID-19 stressors (self-perceived stress, emotional state, and cognitive adaptation to stress in the pandemic) are influenced by meaning in life in the context of the early stages of the pandemic. Further, this study described differences in meaning in life observed across demographic groups. Web-based surveys were completed by 831 Slovenian participants in April of 2020. Demographic data; perceptions of stressors related to lacking necessities, movement restrictions, and concerns at home; meaning in life; perceived overall health status; anxiety; emotional state; and perceived stress were measured. A moderately strong sense of meaning in life (M = 5.0, SD = 0.74, range 1–7) was reported by participants, and meaning in life was associated with enhanced wellbeing (B = 0.06-0.28, p < .01). Both direct and indirect relationships were observed between stressors and wellbeing outcomes. The indirect effects of meaning in life were especially prominent in the relationship between stressors related to lacking necessities and concerns at home and outcomes of anxiety, perceived stress, and negative emotions, contributing 13–27% of the total observed effects. Increased meaning in life was observed across older age groups (F(5, 825) = 4.8, p < .001) and for those in partnered relationships (t(829) = -3.397, p <.001). A strong sense of meaning in life was associated with improved well-being, even for individuals who experienced pandemic-related stressors. Public health initiatives and media may help improve resilience to pandemic trauma by emphasizing the collective meaning in challenging situations.

Keywords

smisel;COVID-19;anksioznost;stres;kognicija;spoprijemanje;meaning;anxiety;stress;cognition;coping;

Data

Language:	English
Year of publishing:	2023
Typology:	1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization:	UL FF - Faculty of Arts
UDC:	159.944.4:616-036.22
COBISS:	161073155
ISSN:	2666-5603
Views:	31
Downloads:	14
Average score:	0 (0 votes)
Metadata:

Other data

Secondary language:	Slovenian
Secondary keywords:	smisel;COVID-19;anksioznost;stres;kognicija;spoprijemanje;
Type (COBISS):	Article
Pages:	str. 1-11
Volume:	ǂVol. ǂ4
Issue:	ǂart. ǂ100226
Chronology:	2023
DOI:	10.1016/j.ssmmh.2023.100226
ID:	25660814