The role of significance relative to the other dimensions of meaning in life – an examination utilizing the three dimensional meaning in life scale (3DM)

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openAccess

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Volume Title

A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä

Date

2023

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Mcode

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Language

en

Pages

21

Series

JOURNAL OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

Abstract

Following calls for multidimensional conceptualizations of meaning in life, the tripartite view where meaning is seen to consist of significance, purpose, and coherence has gained in popularity. To operationalize it, we developed the Three Dimensional Meaning in Life Scale (3DM), confirming its factor structure, psychometric properties, and validity in Studies 1 (n = 301), 2 (n = 300), and 3 (n’s = 171 & 161). Study 4 (n = 241) was experimental inviting participants to read vignettes in three conditions, each emphasizing one dimension of meaning in life, demonstrating that people can discriminate between lives high on each specific dimension. Study 5 (n = 336) investigated the separateness of significance and mattering, finding both overlap and distinctiveness, suggesting that they could be sub-facets of the same overarching dimension. The results thus provide empirical and experimental support for the tripartite view of meaning in life, while providing new nuance to it.

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Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Keywords

Coherence, meaning in life, purpose in life, significance, well-being

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Citation

Martela, F & Steger, M F 2023, ' The role of significance relative to the other dimensions of meaning in life – an examination utilizing the three dimensional meaning in life scale (3DM) ', JOURNAL OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 606-626 . https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2022.2070528