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Meaning in Life Promotes Proactive Coping via Positive Affect: A Daily Diary Study

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  • Miao Miao

    (Peking University
    China University of Political Science and Law)

  • Lei Zheng

    (Peking University)

  • Yiqun Gan

    (Peking University)

Abstract

Previous research on meaning in life and coping has generally been focused on reactive coping strategies and global meaning judgments. To extend this, the present study used a daily diary method to collect longitudinal data, and examined whether individuals’ daily meaning in life predicted use of proactive coping techniques and whether this relationship was mediated by positive affect. Adults (n = 132) completed a diary to track their meaning in life and positive affect every day for 21 consecutive days. Global levels of meaning in life, positive affect, and proactive coping were measured both at baseline and after the daily reporting phase ended. Hierarchical linear modeling demonstrated that daily meaning in life was a positive predictor of daily positive affect. Furthermore, combined latent growth curve and structural equation models indicated that the rate of change in daily meaning in life predicted change in proactive coping over the course of the study, and that this relationship was mediated by change in positive affect. The mediational effect of positive affect in the relationship between meaning in life and proactive coping was also verified by the reported global levels of these variables. These findings suggest that meaning in life may play an important role in coping with future life stress. Our discussion centers on the positive functions of meaning in life and the mechanisms of the predictive relationship of meaning in life in terms of proactive coping.

Suggested Citation

  • Miao Miao & Lei Zheng & Yiqun Gan, 2017. "Meaning in Life Promotes Proactive Coping via Positive Affect: A Daily Diary Study," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(6), pages 1683-1696, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:18:y:2017:i:6:d:10.1007_s10902-016-9791-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-016-9791-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andrew Howell & Holli-Anne Passmore & Karen Buro, 2013. "Meaning in Nature: Meaning in Life as a Mediator of the Relationship Between Nature Connectedness and Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(6), pages 1681-1696, December.
    2. İlhan Yalçın & Asude Malkoç, 2015. "The Relationship Between Meaning in Life and Subjective Well-Being: Forgiveness and Hope as Mediators," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(4), pages 915-929, August.
    3. Manuela Zambianchi & Pio Ricci Bitti, 2014. "The Role of Proactive Coping Strategies, Time Perspective, Perceived Efficacy on Affect Regulation, Divergent Thinking and Family Communication in Promoting Social Well-Being in Emerging Adulthood," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 116(2), pages 493-507, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Liping Ma & Yanhui Xiang, 2023. "Mindfulness and Subjective Well-being Among Chinese Adolescents: A Longitudinal Study and a Weekly Diary Investigation," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(6), pages 1861-1881, August.
    2. Branko Vermote & Sofie Morbée & Bart Soenens & Maarten Vansteenkiste & Joachim Waterschoot & Wim Beyers & Jolene Kaap-Deeder, 2023. "How Do Late Adults Experience Meaning During the COVID-19 Lockdown? The Role of Intrinsic Goals," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(5), pages 1759-1780, June.
    3. Yafei Liu & Siyu Di & Yixianzhi Zhang & Chao Ma, 2023. "Self-Concept Clarity and Learning Engagement: The Sequence-Mediating Role of the Sense of Life Meaning and Future Orientation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-12, March.
    4. Xiaobing Zheng & Wenjing Wang, 2022. "Time Perspective in the Self-regulatory Mechanism of Meaning in Life," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 747-767, February.
    5. Xiao, Luxia & Yao, Meilin & Liu, Hongrui, 2024. "Beliefs about the universality of meaning in life enhance psychological and academic adjustment among university students: The role of meaning in life and stress mindset," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    6. Jie Wen & Miao Miao, 2022. "Relationships Between Meaning in Life, Positive and Negative Affect, and Eating Behaviors: A Daily Diary Study," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 1315-1331, April.
    7. Jun Wei & Cong Yi & Yonghe Ti & Shi Yu, 2024. "The Implications of Meaning in Life on College Adjustment Among Chinese University Freshmen: The Indirect Effects via Academic Motivation," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 25(6), pages 1-22, August.
    8. Chen, Danrui & Ying, Jiefeng & Liu, Sihan & Xu, Ziyan & Wu, Huijiao & Zhou, Xinglin & You, Jianing, 2023. "The protective effects of meaning in life on the relationships between attachment anxiety, rumination, and nonsuicidal self-injury: A moderated mediation model," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    9. Eric R. Igou & Aidan A. Blake & Herbert Bless, 2021. "Just-World Beliefs Increase Helping Intentions via Meaning and Affect," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(5), pages 2235-2253, June.

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