Dimensions of life meaning: a qualitative investigation at mid-life

Meaning in life is integral to psychological functioning. Empirical research into this construct has focused on sources of meaning. Reker & Wong (1988) have proposed a theoretical outline for a multidimensional structure of meaning which challenges a source-based approach. The present study used a qualitative approach to explore people's accounts of their experiences of life meaning and focused on the following key dimensions: sources; cognitive, motivational and affective components; breadth; and depth. Thirty-eight adults at mid-life were interviewed in depth. Five categories of sources accounted for material reported in previous studies, but a sixth was required to contain experiences of meaning relating to the natural environment. All sources revealed cognitive, motivational and affective components. Accounts showed variation in breadth and depth of meaning, although the assessment of depth proved problematic. Results from this qualitative exploration generally confirm Reker & Wong's structural model. Furthermore, many people have coherent frameworks of meaning which structure their life experiences, and serve to integrate these theoretical dimensions.