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Published on: February 2, 2017
The Mediating Role of Meaning in the Association between Stress and Health
Daryl R Van Tongeren1, Peter C Hill2, Neal Krause3
1Department of Psychology, Hope College, Science Center, 35 E. 12th Street, Holland, MI, 49422-9000, USA. vantongeren@hope.edu.
Background:
Stress is a common feature of life and has routinely been linked with negative health outcomes. However, meaning has been identified as a possible buffer against stress.
Purpose:
The purpose of the current study was to examine whether the relationship between stress and health was mediated by meaning in life.
Methods:
Drawing from Wave 1 of the Landmark Spirituality and Health Study, a nationally representative sample of adults, participants (N = 1871) reported their level of stress in the past 12 months, current meaning in life, health (measured as minor symptoms, major conditions, and overall health), and provided a blood sample for biomarker of immune system functioning (i.e., presence of Epstein-Barr virus antibodies).
Results:
Results revealed an indirect effects model in which stress was inversely associated with meaning. Higher meaning was related to better self-reported health (across minor, major, and overall health measures), which, in turn, was associated with better immune system functioning.
Conclusions:
These findings suggest that part of the negative effect of stress on health is accounted for by reduced meaning.
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