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What Can We Learn About the Concept of Meaning in Life from Older Adults with Alzheimer’s Disease? A Directed Content Analysis Study

Author

Listed:
  • Laura Dewitte

    (KU Leuven)

  • Tine Schellekens

    (KU Leuven)

  • Michael F. Steger

    (Colorado State University
    North-West University)

  • Frank Martela

    (Aalto University)

  • Siebrecht Vanhooren

    (KU Leuven)

  • Mathieu Vandenbulcke

    (University Psychiatric Centre KU Leuven)

  • Jessie Dezutter

    (KU Leuven)

Abstract

Meaning in life has grown into a topic of great interest in psychological research. Conceptually, scholars differentiate between sources and components of meaning. However, the current scholarly views on meaning are highly cognitive and it is unclear to what extent they correspond with the understanding of lay people with cognitive difficulties, like those with Alzheimer’s disease. Using directed content analysis, we analyzed short descriptions of meaning in life of 126 older adults with Alzheimer’s disease, exploring whether the components (i.e., coherence, purpose, significance) and sources from the current literature could be identified and what additional themes emerged in their accounts. Replicating findings in other populations, family and relationships were the most prominent sources. Coherence and purpose were each described by 15% of participants, significance was almost not mentioned. We discuss the entanglement of components and sources in people’s descriptions and the possibility of a connection facet underlying meaning. We provide evidence for a distinction between cognitive and felt coherence and show that many participants talked about fulfilled and purpose instead of future-oriented purpose, emphasizing the need for a developmental understanding of meaning.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Dewitte & Tine Schellekens & Michael F. Steger & Frank Martela & Siebrecht Vanhooren & Mathieu Vandenbulcke & Jessie Dezutter, 2021. "What Can We Learn About the Concept of Meaning in Life from Older Adults with Alzheimer’s Disease? A Directed Content Analysis Study," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(7), pages 2845-2871, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:22:y:2021:i:7:d:10.1007_s10902-020-00351-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-020-00351-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Antonella Delle Fave & Ingrid Brdar & Teresa Freire & Dianne Vella-Brodrick & Marié Wissing, 2011. "The Eudaimonic and Hedonic Components of Happiness: Qualitative and Quantitative Findings," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 100(2), pages 185-207, January.
    2. Frank Martela & Richard M. Ryan & Michael F. Steger, 2018. "Meaningfulness as Satisfaction of Autonomy, Competence, Relatedness, and Beneficence: Comparing the Four Satisfactions and Positive Affect as Predictors of Meaning in Life," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(5), pages 1261-1282, June.
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