You Can’t Always Get What You Need: How Meaning in Life Mediates the Relationship Between Need Satisfaction and Depression

Meaning in life (MIL) is widely recognized as a key factor in well-being and psychological resilience, yet the mechanisms linking psychological needs and MIL remain understudied. This mixed-methods study examined how basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness), as well as cognitive needs (need for cognition and need for closure), relate to depression through three meaning-related constructs: search for meaning, prioritizing meaning, and presence of meaning. Quantitative data were collected from 402 participants using validated scales, and qualitative data were drawn from open-ended responses. Structural equation modeling revealed that need satisfaction was significantly associated with prioritizing meaning, presence of meaning, and lower depression levels, but not with the search for meaning. The need for cognition and the need for closure predicted only the search for meaning. Search for meaning was positively associated with prioritizing meaning, which in turn was associated with presence of meaning, which was negatively associated with depression. Gender differences emerged, with females reporting significantly higher need for relatedness and depression. No differences were found across religiosity groups. Qualitative content analysis identified family, recreation, and altruism as key sources of meaning. Notably, participants who mentioned religious engagement reported higher presence of meaning, whereas those seeking religious development, financial improvement, or education reported lower autonomy. Findings underscore the complex interplay between psychological and cognitive needs in shaping meaning-making processes and well-being, offering implications for meaning-centered interventions in clinical and applied settings.