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Reciprocal Relations Between Meaning in Life, Beneficence, and Psychological Needs for Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness: Evidence from a Three-Wave Longitudinal Study

Author

Listed:
  • Frank Martela

    (Aalto University)

  • Jesús Unanue

    (Universidad Andres Bello)

  • Marcos Gómez

    (Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez)

  • Wenceslao Unanue

    (Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez)

Abstract

Meaning in life has been established as a key factor of human well-being and flourishing. Beneficence and the three psychological needs of self-determination theory—autonomy, competence, and relatedness—have all been individually studied as antecedents of meaningfulness. Yet, no previous research has examined them neither longitudinally nor simultaneously as predictors of meaning over time. In a three-wave longitudinal study in Chile (n: T1 = 1477, T2 = 820, T3 = 487) we examined the reciprocal relations between autonomy, competence, relatedness, beneficence, and meaning, using cross-lagged panel analysis. Taken individually, each of the four factors predicted meaning, and when entered simultaneously into the same model, competence, relatedness, and beneficence predicted meaning over time. Furthermore, we found that meaning predicted all four factors over time. Our results thus advance research on meaning in life by examining key predictors of it and showing that meaning itself predicts the same factors dynamically over time.

Suggested Citation

  • Frank Martela & Jesús Unanue & Marcos Gómez & Wenceslao Unanue, 2024. "Reciprocal Relations Between Meaning in Life, Beneficence, and Psychological Needs for Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness: Evidence from a Three-Wave Longitudinal Study," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 25(3), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:25:y:2024:i:3:d:10.1007_s10902-024-00741-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-024-00741-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hong Zhang & Jiawei Zhu & Li Wei & Wenting Zhang, 2021. "A Comparison between the Psychological Benefits of Giving Money vs. Giving Time," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(6), pages 2677-2701, August.
    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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