The Psychology of Meaning in Life

The new edition of this bestselling book, The Psychology of Meaning in Life, has been thoroughly updated to offer an inspiring exploration of cutting-edge findings from the psychology of meaning in life. Schnell draws on multiple psychological and philosophical perspectives, including those from existential, clinical, social, positive, and health psychology, and lived experience to introduce a multidimensional model of meaning in life. Written in an accessible style and full of practical, evidence-based applications, this book covers a range of topics, including the distinction between meaning and happiness, the impact of meaning on health and longevity, the connection between worldview and meaning, meaning in the workplace, meaning-centred interventions, and existential communication. The Hierarchic Meaning Model explains how meaning emerges, from basic perception to the complex experience of meaning in life. By situating meaningfulness - experienced as significance, purpose, coherence, and belonging - within broader social contexts, the book discusses the effects of inequality and global crises and suggests introducing an ethics of meaning. Measurement tools are presented, and each chapter ends with exercises to encourage self-reflection, inspiring the reader to consider the role of meaning in their own life. The Psychology of Meaning in Life, Second Edition has crucial significance for advancing the field of existential health. It is essential reading for students, researchers, and practitioners of psychology, sociology, counselling, pastoral care, coaching, healthcare, and related disciplines, and for general readers interested in exploring what makes life meaningful.

Tatjana Schnell is Professor of Existential Psychology at MF Specialized University, Oslo, Norway, and Fellow at the Humanistic University of Berlin, Germany. 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, work, worldview, suffering and dying, civic engagement, and alienation.

1. Searching for meaning?. 2. Meaning defined. 3. Measuring meaning in life. 4. Meaning as attribution. 5. Sources of meaning. 6. Varieties of meaning. 7. Meaning in life and worldview. 8. The social dimension of meaning in life. 9. Crises of meaning - When foundations shake. 10. Existential indifference. 11. Meaning and happiness. 12. Meaning, health, and illness.13. Meaning and existence in practice. 14. Meaning in work. 15. Outlook: Meaning and the good life.