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Working with Meaning in Life in Chronic or Life-Threatening Disease: A Review of Its Relevance and the Effectiveness of Meaning-Centred Therapies

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Clinical Perspectives on Meaning

Abstract

More than 30 % of the population lives with a chronic or life-threatening physical disease. Of these individuals, 40 % also experience mental health problems and stress which exacerbate physical problems and health-care costs. More specifically, one third report pathological levels of anxiety and depression, and a majority mention stress as arising from the question of how they can still live a meaningful and satisfying life despite their disease. This question is usually not systematically addressed by traditional treatments such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, support groups and stress reduction programmes, which may explain their modest effect sizes in physically ill patients. This chapter shows how meaning is essential to a clinical–aetiological understanding of physical diseases, by integrating six dominant perspectives in health/medical psychology: assumptive worlds, change, existential coping, transcending, motivation and biological perspectives. This examination shows how the disease challenges everyday assumptions about the world, life, the self and meaning, which leads to patients asking: “How can I live a meaningful and satisfying life despite the physical, psychological, social and existential limitations of my disease?” Patients subsequently appraise their situation and assimilate the disease experience within their existing assumptions, transcend the situation by flexibly experiencing meaning despite being ill, change specific meanings in their lives or change their general perspective on life. These appraisal processes could lead to motivated lifestyle changes, psychological symptoms and a request for professional support. This model is specified for individuals with cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic pain and heritable diseases. This clinical–aetiological model is also the basis of meaning-centred therapies, which strongly improve the quality of life, the experience of psychological stress and physical well-being in physically ill patients. Due to its relevance and effects, it is recommended that meaning-centred therapy be offered to individuals with a chronic or life-threatening physical disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Roehampton, Holybourne Avenue, London, SW15 4JD, UK

    Joel Vos Ph.D.

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  1. Joel Vos Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Joel Vos Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Counseling and Human Development, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel

    Pninit Russo-Netzer

  2. Department of Psychology Clinical-Disaster Research Center (UM-CDRC), University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, USA

    Stefan E. Schulenberg

  3. International Academy of Philosophy, University in the Principality of Liechtenstein, Vienna, Austria

    Alexander Batthyany

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Vos, J. (2016). Working with Meaning in Life in Chronic or Life-Threatening Disease: A Review of Its Relevance and the Effectiveness of Meaning-Centred Therapies. In: Russo-Netzer, P., Schulenberg, S., Batthyany, A. (eds) Clinical Perspectives on Meaning. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41397-6_9

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