This book offers an inspiring exploration of current findings from the psychology of meaning in life, analysing cutting-edge research to propose practical, evidence-based applications. Schnell draws on psychological, philosophical and cognitive perspectives to explore basic concepts of meaning and introduce a multidimensional model of meaning in life.
Written in an accessible style, this book covers a range of topics including the distinction between meaning and happiness, the impact of meaning on health and longevity, meaning in the workplace, and meaning-centred interventions. Each chapter ends with exercises to encourage self-reflection and measurement tools are presented throughout, including the author’s original Sources of Meaning and Meaning in Life Questionnaire (SoMe), to inspire the reader to consider the role of meaning in their own life.
The Psychology of Meaning in Life is essential reading for students and practitioners of psychology, sociology, counselling, coaching and related disciplines, and for general readers interested in exploring the role of meaning in life.
Chapter 1: Searching for Meaning?
Chapter 2: Defining Meaning
Chapter 3: Measuring Meaning in Life
Chapter 4: Meaning as Attribution
Chapter 5: Varieties of Meaning
Chapter 6: Sources of Meaning
Chapter 7: The Social Dimension of Meaning in Life
Chapter 8: Crises of Meaning – When Foundations Shake
Chapter 9: Existential Indifference
Chapter 10: Meaning and Happiness
Chapter 11: Meaning, Health and Illness
Chapter 12: Meaning-Centred Interventions
Chapter 13: Meaning in Work
Chapter 14: Outlook
Biography
Tatjana Schnell is an associate professor at Innsbruck University, Austria, and adjunct professor at MF Specialized University, Oslo, Norway. As head of the Existential Psychology Lab, she focuses on fundamental questions of how to conceptualise and measure meaning in life, and on the nexus of meaning in life and health, suffering and dying, religion, secularity, work, and civic engagement.
