Death reflection and meaning in life: Mediation by self-transcendence and authentic-self pursuit

In contrast to the established link between death anxiety and reduced meaning in life, this study proposes that death reflection is positively related to meaning, and examines its differentiated pathways to the presence of and search for meaning via self-transcendence and authentic-self pursuit. A cross-sectional study with 501 participants assessed the variables. Results indicated that death reflection was positively correlated with both presence of and search for meaning. Moreover, self-transcendence fully mediated its relationship with presence of meaning. In contrast, the link with search for meaning was independently mediated by self-transcendence and authentic-self pursuit, as well as sequentially through self-transcendence followed by authentic-self pursuit. These findings clarify that the effect of death awareness on meaning depends on its qualitative form, delineate distinct pathways through which death reflection can enhance meaning, and identify self-transcendence as the key mechanism.