Meaning in Life and Coping: Sense of Meaning as a Buffer Against Stress

Abstract

The chapter presents theoretical concepts and research findings related to relationship between stress and meaning in life. Author reviews theories of coping stress resistance which included meaning in their models, as sense of coherence (SOC) of Antonovsky, hardiness of Maddi and Kobasa, as well as theories based on congruence and meaning in life reconstruction, such as Janoff-Bulmann fundamental assumptions or Park’s meaning—congruence model. Part of the chapter is focused on the empirical evidence which supports positive role of meaning in coping with stress. Both qualitative and quantitative studies suggested that higher level of meaning is related to lower perception of stress or better coping, or they specifically described how meaning-making is involved in the process of coping with stress and trauma. The important role in coping processes is played by meaning-based or meaning-focused coping, which is appraisal-based coping in which the person draws on their beliefs, values, and existential goals. This kind of coping is related to better psychological functioning and lower distress. Special focus is given to the role of meaning as a buffer against negative impact of stress. Research confirmed that high sense of meaning prevent person from negative coping or depression. The author concludes that there are three ways how meaning in life can have effect on coping. Individual resources of meaning act as resources for coping, high life meaningfulness can act as a buffer against the negative consequences of stress, and meaning-based coping (positive reinterpretation, benefit findings) can contribute to better psychological adjustment during or after stressful event.