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Examining Cross-Cultural Relationships Between Meaning in Life and Psychological Well-Being in Turkey and the United States

Author

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  • Ian C. Fischer

    (Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis)

  • Ekin Secinti

    (Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis)

  • Zeynep Cemalcilar

    (Koc University)

  • Kevin L. Rand

    (Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis)

Abstract

This study explored the extent to which meaning in life (i.e., presence and search) relates to different aspects of psychological well-being in American and Turkish students. It also assessed whether presence of meaning moderated the relationship between search for meaning and psychological well-being. American (N =377) and Turkish (N =225) undergraduates completed demographics and self-report measures. Simple and moderated moderation analyses were conducted. In both samples, presence and search were negatively associated. In addition, presence of meaning was positively associated with measures of psychological well-being, while search was negatively associated. Presence of meaning buffered the relationship between search for meaning and psychological well-being, but only in the Turkish sample. American and Turkish undergraduates may typically search for meaning when presence of meaning is low. Presence of meaning appears to be adaptive across these two cultures, whereas search for meaning appears to be culturally-specific and may produce differential effects on psychological well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Ian C. Fischer & Ekin Secinti & Zeynep Cemalcilar & Kevin L. Rand, 2021. "Examining Cross-Cultural Relationships Between Meaning in Life and Psychological Well-Being in Turkey and the United States," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 1341-1358, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:22:y:2021:i:3:d:10.1007_s10902-020-00275-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-020-00275-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christopher Peterson & Nansook Park & Martin Seligman, 2005. "Orientations to happiness and life satisfaction: the full life versus the empty life," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 6(1), pages 25-41, March.
    2. Karen Cohen & David Cairns, 2012. "Is Searching for Meaning in Life Associated With Reduced Subjective Well-Being? Confirmation and Possible Moderators," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 13(2), pages 313-331, April.
    3. Gary T. Reker & Louis C. Woo, 2011. "Personal Meaning Orientations and Psychosocial Adaptation in Older Adults," SAGE Open, , vol. 1(1), pages 21582440114, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Chih Nuo Grace Chao & Alan Chi-Keung Cheung & Elaine Lau & Angel Nga Man Leung, 2023. "Teachers’ Perceptions on Quality of School Leadership and Psychological Well-Being: The Mediating Roles of Work-Related Meaning in Life and Optimism in Hong Kong Kindergarten Teachers," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 18(3), pages 1249-1268, June.
    2. Li, Sijia & Luo, Hao & Huang, Feng & Wang, Yiming & Siu Fai Yip, Paul, 2024. "Associations between meaning in life and suicidal ideation in young people: A systematic review and meta-analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    3. Berfin Töre & Meital Navon-Eyal & Orit Taubman – Ben-Ari, 2023. "Cross-Cultural Differences in Driving Styles: A Moderated Mediation Analysis Linking Forgivingness, Emotion Regulation Difficulties, and Driving Styles," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-14, March.
    4. Agnieszka Lasota & Justyna Mróz, 2021. "Positive Psychology in Times of Pandemic—Time Perspective as a Moderator of the Relationship between Resilience and Meaning in Life," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-13, December.

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