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Abstract
This dissertation presents a meta-analysis of the longitudinal association between meaning in life and well-being, with particular attention to how this relationship varies across time, developmental period, and cultural context. While previous research has established that meaning in life is positively related to well-being, less is known about how this association changes depending on when it is measured, how much time passes between measurement points, and the developmental period of participants. This study addresses those gaps by synthesizing findings from 22 studies (49 interdependent effect sizes), encompassing data from 37,484 participants across seven countries.The overall association between meaning in life at Time 1 and well-being at Time 2 was positive and statistically significant. Moderator analyses revealed that lag length, the amount of time between the measurement of meaning and well-being, was a significant predictor of effect size, particularly when modeled as a nonlinear function. In contrast, year of data collection did not significantly moderate effect size, although descriptive analyses revealed notable dips in the strength of the association in 2008, 2016, and 2020. These years correspond to major global events including the 2008 recession, 2016 presidential election, and the COVID-19 pandemic. These dips were followed by apparent recoveries, suggesting a potential pattern of resilience.
Age and developmental period were also examined as moderators. While average age was not significant as a continuous variable, categorical developmental period showed preliminary evidence of moderation, with emerging adulthood representing the most robust and consistently significant group. Exploratory analyses indicated that country also moderated the strength of the meaning in life and well-being relationship, with positive statistically significant associations observed in the United States, China, and South Korea.
This study contributes to the field by incorporating developmental, temporal, and cultural factors into a meta-analytic framework. It also identifies several directions for future research, including the need for more longitudinal studies with adolescents and older adults, a closer examination of reciprocal effects, and more consistent reporting of lag length and data collection timing. Findings underscore the importance of considering both individual development and historical context when evaluating how meaning in life supports well-being over time.