A presente tese teve por objetivo avaliar diferentes aspectos do construto sentido de vida (SV) e suas relações com variáveis biossociodemográficas e outros construtos psicológicos positivos (otimismo, esperança, satisfação com a vida, felicidade subjetiva, autoestima e autoeficácia) em uma ampla amostra nacional. Para atingir os objetivos propostos, foram desenvolvidos um artigo teórico e seis artigos empíricos. O primeiro artigo apresentou o construto SV, e discutiu as potencialidades e limitações dos principais instrumentos existentes na literatura para avaliação do construto sentido de vida. Posteriormente, foram elaborados três estudos empíricos de adaptação e validação de instrumentos psicológicos para o contexto brasileiro. Os três instrumentos validados foram: 1) Questionário de Sentido de Vida (QSV); 2) Questionário de Fontes de Sentido e de Sentido de Vida (QFSSV); e 3) Escala de Felicidade Subjetiva (EFS). O quinto artigo da tese avaliou como diferentes categorias de sentido interagem com variáveis biossociodemográficas, fontes de sentido e com características psicológicas positivas. O sexto artigo investigou como o construto “busca por sentido” se relaciona com as diferentes categorias de sentido. Além disso, buscou-se compreender se a busca por sentido poderia moderar a relação entre as diferentes categorias de sentido com os índices de bem-estar subjetivo, mensurado pelos construtos satisfação com a vida e felicidade subjetiva. Por fim, o último artigo empírico investigou como diferentes características biossociodemográficas e psicológicas influenciam a intenção das pessoas em participar de futuras etapas desta pesquisa. A amostra total empregada foi de 3,034 sujeitos (63,9% mulheres), com idades variando entre 18 e 91 anos (M = 33,9, DP = 15,01), oriundos de 22 diferentes estados do Brasil. Do total da amostra, 91,4% responderam aos instrumentos em uma plataforma virtual, enquanto 8,6% o fizeram no método papel e caneta. Os três instrumentos adaptados para o contexto brasileiro apresentaram adequadas propriedades psicométricas, sugerindo sua possibilidade de uso em estudos futuros. Os resultados também demonstraram a existência de diferentes categorias de sentido de vida (realização existencial, indiferença existencial, crise existencial, conflito existencial), e que sujeitos inseridos nestas categorias apresentam importantes diferenças no que se refere a suas características biossociodemográficas e psicológicas. Foi descoberto, também, que a busca por sentido é maior entre os que apresentam conflito existencial, embora esteja positivamente relacionada com os níveis de crise existencial. Os resultados desta tese apontam para a necessidade da continuidade dos estudos acerca da temática. Esta tese pretende contribuir para a área da Psicologia Positiva ao fornecer três novos instrumentos psicométricos para uso no contextobrasileiro, e ao apresentar resultados anteriormente não discutidos na literatura da área do sentido de vida. / This dissertation aimed to evaluate different aspects of the construct “meaning in life” (MIL) and its relations with sociodemographic and other positive psychological constructs (optimism, hope, life satisfaction, subjective happiness, self-esteem and self-efficacy) in a large Brazilian sample. To attain the proposed goals, one theoretical and six empirical articles were developed. The first theoretical article presented the MIL construct and discussed the benefits and limitations of the main existing scales designed to evaluate the MIL construct. Further, three validation articles of psychological measures were developed. The three questionnaires were: 1) Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ); 2) Sources of Meaning and Meaning in Life Questionnaire (SoMe); and 3) Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS). The fifth article of the dissertation aimed to show how different categories of meaning interacted with sociodemographic variables, sources of meaning and positive psychological characteristics. The sixth article sought to evaluate to what extent the construct “search for meaning” relates to the different categories of meaning. Furthermore, we aimed to assess if search for meaning moderates the relation among the different categories of meaning with subjective well-being. Finally, the last empirical paper evaluated how different sociodemographic and psychological variables influence the intention in participating in the future waves of the present study. Participants were 3.034 subjects (63.9% women) with ages varying from 18 e 91 years old (M = 33.9; DP = 15.01), originated from 22 different Brazilian states. From the total, 91.4% answered the questionnaires in a web-based platform, whereas 8.6% answered in the paper-and-pencil method. The three adapted instruments presented adequate psychometric properties, and suggests its possible use in future studies. The results also showed the existence of different categories of meaning (meaningfulness, existential indifference, existential crisis, existential conflict), and that people inserted in these categories present important differences in their bio-psychossocial and psychological variables. It was also shown that search for meaning is higher among those in the existential conflict group, although search for meaning is positively related to crisis of meaning. The results of this study point to the need for further studies on the subject. This dissertation seeks to contribute to the Positive Psychology field by offering three different psychometric scales to use in the Brazilian context, and to present empirical results not previously achieved, contributing to the knowledge on the MIL literature.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Constitui um desafio para profissionais de enfermagem atender o ser humano nas suas diversas necessidades e contemplar em sua assistÃncia as complexas dimensÃes humanas. Dentre todas as dimensÃes humanas, a espiritual tem destaque para a Ãrea da saÃde: primeiro, porque à a que diferencia o homem dos demais seres, pois integra a capacidade de ser livre, de ser responsÃvel e de buscar, constantemente, um sentido para a vida; segundo, por ser uma dimensÃo negligenciada, devido à Ãnfase dada Ãs dimensÃes psicofÃsicas e ao distanciamento histÃrico da ciÃncia tradicional. Constatamos ser necessÃrio um modelo de cuidado espiritual que sirva de suporte a enfermeiros que cuidam de pacientes gravemente enfermos, visto que vivenciam a dor, o sofrimento e a iminÃncia de morte. Nosso objetivo, portanto, à produzir um modelo de cuidado espiritual, com base no referencial teÃrico-metodolÃgico da âAnÃlise Existencialâ, de Viktor Emil Frankl e da âRelaÃÃo Pessoa a Pessoaâ, de Joyce Travelbee. Para isso, desenvolvemos uma pesquisa-cuidado, que mostrou ser uma resposta Ãtica e humanÃstica na forma de fazer ciÃncia, visto que teve a preocupaÃÃo de beneficiar os sujeitos pesquisados, pois foram cuidados enquanto participavam da pesquisa. Trata-se de uma pesquisa realizada com trÃs pacientes, com o diagnÃstico de cÃncer, hospitalizados em um hospital pÃblico, terciÃrio da cidade de Fortaleza-CearÃ. A pesquisa foi dividida em duas etapas: [1] a coleta de dados, realizada durante o processo de cuidar, por meio da relaÃÃo de ajuda enfermeiro/paciente; [2] a produÃÃo do modelo, com base nos dados analisados e confrontados com o referencial teÃrico. O processo de construÃÃo deste modelo foi realizado, utilizando, de forma integrada, as categorias criadas do conteÃdo dos diÃlogos e dos comentÃrios das interaÃÃes, conforme recomenda Bardin. A construÃÃo do modelo foi discutida e apresentada em trÃs elementos do cuidado espiritual: os componentes; o desenvolvendo; a culminÃncia. Esta tese foi submetida ao Comità de Ãtica em Pesquisa e observou irrestritamente os princÃpios norteadores da pesquisa envolvendo seres humanos, conforme a ResoluÃÃo 196/1996, do Conselho Nacional de SaÃde. O modelo de cuidado produzido fundamenta-se filosoficamente e se sustenta em uma metodologia que orienta as aÃÃes de cuidado e se estrutura em dezessete pressupostos teÃricos, relacionados com cinco conceitos bÃsicos: ser humano; processo saÃde/doenÃa; enfermagem; ambiente; cuidado espiritual. AlÃm disso, segue os passos de construÃÃo e estabelecimento do cuidado espiritual, de cuidado propriamente dito e de manutenÃÃo e anÃlise do cuidado espiritual, estruturados em trÃs etapas: Khronos â fase de construÃÃo; KairÃs â fase de busca; AiÃn â fase de integraÃÃo. Este modelo contempla o cuidado total, mas enfatiza o espiritual, porque, perscrutando as virtudes e valores humanos, tem como foco central a busca e o encontro do sentido da vida. O presente trabalho nÃo à a Ãnica possibilidade de cuidado espiritual, tampouco tem a pretensÃo de ser a Ãnica e a Ãltima verdade sobre o assunto. Antes, convidamos todos a conhecerem, aplicarem, validarem, criticarem, ampliarem, contestarem ou rejeitarem, esta tese, se assim julgarem procedente.

This thesis deals with the subject of life goals. It presents selected life goal theories and possible life goal classifications. Attention is also paid to developmental characteristics of life goals in the context of Theories of life-span development. Another related subject is meaningfulness of life - which is closely related to life goals. It outlines philosophical roots of this concept and some psychological theories. The last subject of the theoretical part is psychological construct of well-being, which is presented by selected theories. Empirical part of this thesis is trying to verify the hypothesis that there is a significant difference between the content of important goals of younger and older adults. It also examines the connexion between intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations and Life satisfaction. In order to attain this aim, we used two methods trough two different questionnaires - Satisfaction with Life Scale and Aspiration Index (AI). Samples were made by assessing answers of 962 Czech adult respondents, and the survey packet was distributed to participants online. We found significant differences between younger and older adults in the importance attributed to different goals which concerned: Affiliation, Sense of community, Physical health, Financial Success, Image, Popularity,...

Victor Frankl (1969, 1972, 1975, 1984a, 1984b) postulated that man’s search for meaning is the primary motivational force in his life. If this postulation is true for life in general, it was expected that this would also be true for a person’s work life. The objective of the present research was to explore whether relationships exist between man's "will to meaning" as defined in Frankl’s logotherapy, with work aspects such as work commitment and work motivation. The present research also investigated the relationships between meaning and certain work related biographic/lifestyle variables. Survey research was conducted with a sample of 458 management level employees from six large companies from different industrial sectors in South Africa. Seven standardised, well-validated instruments were used to measure the respective constructs. The following constructs were measured: meaning, work involvement, work commitment (represented by work values, job involvement and career commitment), and work motivation (represented by intrinsic motivation and goal orientation). The data was analysed by means of Principal Factor Analysis, Non-Parametric Analysis of Variance, Partial Correlation Analysis, Stepwise Multiple Regression Analysis, and Structural Equations Modelling. These instruments were revalidated as part of the present study. The results of this research indicated that meaning was significantly associated with career commitment. The results also indicated that meaning was significantly associated with work motivation, as measured through intrinsic motivation and goal orientation. Furthermore, meaning generally showed statistically significant relationships with work orientation and lifestyle related variables. In contrast, meaning did not show statistically significant relationships with work values, job involvement or work involvement. Meaning also did not show statistically significant relationships with Biographical/demographic type variables. These findings deepened the understanding of some of the origins of work commitment and work motivation. The findings from this study also pointed to a deeper and more fundamental source of work motivation and work commitment than those sources covered in the existing work motivation and commitment theories; an existential source. This study also attested to the significant role that meaning plays in a person’s work and in his worklife. / Thesis (PhD (Organizational Behaviour))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Human Resource Management / unrestricted

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Both meaning in life and forgiveness have been shown to separately contribute to better mental health. However, no prior research examined the linkage between meaning in life and forgiveness. This quantitative study was therefore to identify if there was a relationship between meaning in life, as measured by the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ), and overall dispositional forgiveness, dispositional forgiveness of self, dispositional forgiveness of others, and dispositional forgiveness of situations, as measured by the Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS). Survey data were gathered from 250 college students in Western Canada, and multiple linear regression controlling for sociodemographic factors was used. The results showed a relationship between meaning in life and 3 out of the 4 variables. A significant relationship was found between meaning in life and dispositional forgiveness, dispositional forgiveness of situations, and overall dispositional forgiveness. There was no relationship found between meaning in life and dispositional forgiveness of others. These findings may be explained by extant literature suggesting differences in both cognitions and emotions between self forgiveness, other forgiveness, and overall forgiveness. Mental health professionals applying therapeutic intervention options that incorporate these 2 constructs may help to precipitate social change in terms of the treatment and management of mental health, especially with respect to the potential to improve treatment options for depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and anger. Improved treatment interventions and options for individuals can potentially lead to increased employability, reduction in crime, better school attendance and performance, and overall improved physical health across the lifespan.

Research has shown that meaning in life is a universal human need, regardless of cultural identity or education. This research study investigated how the encounter with prostate cancer impacted men's sense of well-being and what they considered meaningful in life. An interpretative phenomenological research design was used because of its descriptive nature and its focus on the individual's perspective. The sample included 6 men between the ages of 18 and 65 who had been out of treatment for 1 year. Participants completed essays about their perceptions and experiences over 3 periods of time: before diagnosis, during treatment, and as survivors. The analysis concentrated on exploring participants' perceptions; identifying themes, commonalities and discrepancies in the data; and drawing comparisons between participants' definitions for meaning in life with the meaning making model of Park and Folkman. Study results addressed issues including a lack of information about side effects and the depth of the mental and emotional toll taken not only on the patients but also on people around them. Social change implications include the importance of (a) educating men with prostate cancer about the mental and physical health challenges they may face as they undergo treatment; (b) encouraging them to reach out for support (including professional services) should they encounter psychological difficulties over the course of dealing with their illness; and, (c) providing them with opportunities to speak about the mental, emotional, physical, and relational challenges they have faced and may still be facing in their lives as a consequence of the disease and its associated treatments.

Forskning om de två begreppen mening i livet och andlighet har funnits länge. Men att sätta dem i relation till varandra har inte gjorts i någon större omfattning. Denna studie syftade därför till att undersöka om andlighet har samband med upplevelse av mening i livet samt sökande efter mening i livet. Dessutom kontrollerades för kön, ålder och sociala relationer. I en kvalitativ del av studien undersöktes vilka faktorer som deltagarna uppgav har betydelse för mening i livet. Studien genomfördes med en enkät med 25 påståenden och två fritextfrågor, där 168 deltagare medverkade genom ett bekvämlighetsurval. För att mäta upplevelse av mening i livet och sökande efter mening användes Meaning of Life Questionnaire, MLQ. För att mäta andlighet användes tio påståenden inspirerade av The Duke University Religion Index, DUREL. Utöver det ingick fem påståenden om sociala relationer, samt uppgifter om ålder och kön. Svaren från deltagarna undersöktes genom faktoranalys och hierarkisk multipel regressionsanalys. Studiens resultat bekräftar att det finns ett positivt samband mellan andlighet och upplevelse av mening i livet (β=0.27), samt mellan andlighet och sökande efter mening i livet (β=0.31) efter kontroll för kön, ålder och sociala relationer. Detta överensstämmer med tidigare forskning. Andlighet förklarar en liten del av variansen för upplevelse av mening (6%) och sökande efter mening (7%). Den kvalitativa delen av studien visar att samhörighet, syfte och sinnesro är tre teman som deltagarna relaterar till mening i livet. Dessa innefattar olika dimensioner av andlighet vilket kan tyda på en viss överlappning av begreppen.

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