The Curvilinear Relationship between Stress and Meaning in Life:From the Perspective of Meaning-Making
Objective:This study aimed to investigate the curvilinear correlation between stress and meaning in life while providing insights into the underlying mechanisms from the perspective of meaning-making.Methods:A semi-longi-tudinal survey was conducted among 236 Chinese university students(99 males,137 females;Mage=20.71,SD=1.74)with a one-month interval.The survey utilized the Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Check-list(T1),the Meaning-Making Scale(T1),and the Meaning in Life Questionnaire(T2).Results:(1)The results indicated a significant negative correlation between quadratic stress and meaning-making,as well as a significant positive correlation between meaning-making and the search for and presence of meaning in life.(2)Mediation analysis revealed that,after controlling for the linear term of stress,meaning-making played a significant mediating role in the relationship between quadratic stress and both the search for and presence of meaning in life.Conclusion:The relationships between stress and meaning-making,as well as the search for and presence of meaning in life,exhibited a curvilinear pattern resembling a reversed U-shaped curve.Addition-ally,meaning-making was identified as a mediator between stress and both the search for and presence of meaning in life.Individuals who experienced moderate levels of stress enhanced their sense of meaning in life through high meaning-mak-ing strategies compared to individuals who experienced too high or too low cumulative stress.
StressMeaning in lifeMeaning-makingCurvilinear relationship
万方数据
维普
