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Meaning in Life Predicts Decreased Depressive Symptoms and Increased Positive Affect over Time but Does not Buffer Stress Effects in a National Sample of African-Americans

Author

Listed:
  • Crystal L. Park

    (University of Connecticut)

  • Cheryl L. Knott

    (University of Maryland)

  • Randi M. Williams

    (Georgetown University)

  • Eddie M. Clark

    (Saint Louis University)

  • Beverly Rosa Williams

    (University of Alabama at Birmingham)

  • Emily Schulz

    (Northern Arizona University - Phoenix Biomedical Campus)

Abstract

Few studies have specifically focused on meaning in life in African Americans and many important questions remain, including whether effects of meaning in life are direct or moderated by levels of stress. In a national sample of 909 African Americans, we tested meaning in life as a prospective predictor of changes in depressive symptoms and positive affect over a 2.5-year period. Controlling for demographics and hassles, meaning in life predicted decreased depressive symptoms and increased positive affect across the span of 2.5 years. Moderation effects were not found for hassles, age, or income. Gender moderated the effect of meaning on positive affect such that effects were stronger for women than for men. These results suggest that, for African Americans, meaning in life appears to robustly protect against future depressive symptoms and promote positive affect over time unaffected by amount of stress experienced or most demographic factors.

Suggested Citation

  • Crystal L. Park & Cheryl L. Knott & Randi M. Williams & Eddie M. Clark & Beverly Rosa Williams & Emily Schulz, 2020. "Meaning in Life Predicts Decreased Depressive Symptoms and Increased Positive Affect over Time but Does not Buffer Stress Effects in a National Sample of African-Americans," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(8), pages 3037-3049, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:21:y:2020:i:8:d:10.1007_s10902-019-00212-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-019-00212-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Williams, D.R. & John, D.A. & Oyserman, D. & Sonnega, J. & Mohammed, S.A. & Jackson, J.S., 2012. "Research on discrimination and health: An exploratory study of unresolved conceptual and measurement issues," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 102(5), pages 975-978.
    2. Neal Krause, 2004. "Stressors Arising in Highly Valued Roles, Meaning in Life, and the Physical Health Status of Older Adults," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 59(5), pages 287-297.
    3. Carol Ryff & Burton Singer, 2008. "Know Thyself and Become What You Are: A Eudaimonic Approach to Psychological Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 13-39, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Laura Dewitte & Patrick L. Hill & Mathieu Vandenbulcke & Jessie Dezutter, 2022. "The longitudinal relationship between meaning in life, depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, and cognitive functioning for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 19(4), pages 1155-1166, December.
    2. Edward C. Chang, 2024. "Beyond Dispositional Optimism and Pessimism: Does the Tripartite Model of Meaning in Life Matter in Predicting Future Well-Being in Adults?," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 25(5), pages 1-18, June.

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