Meaning in Life Across Life Stages

Pathways from Uncertainty to Subjective Well-being

Bibliographic Data

ID7147338
AuthorsKıvanç Uzun (0000-0002-6816-1789, Usak University, corresponding author), Gökmen Arslan (0000-0001-9427-1554, The University of Melbourne)
Year2025
Volume20
Issue3
Pages1197-1220
Publication date2025-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueApplied Research in Quality of Life (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1871-2576 • E-ISSN: 1871-2584
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s11482-025-10461-x
OpenAlexW4410786283
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited83

This study aimed to examine the mediating role of meaning in life (presence of meaning and search for meaning) in the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and subjective well-being across different life stages. The research focused on three distinct age groups: emerging adults (18–24 years), young adults (25–44 years), and middle-aged adults (45–65 years). A total of 1155 participants (672 female, 483 male) from Türkiye participated in the study. Structural equation modeling was used to test the mediating role of meaning in life in the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and subjective well-being. The findings revealed that the presence of meaning positively predicted subjective well-being, while the search for meaning negatively predicted it. Intolerance of uncertainty decreased the presence of meaning while increasing the search for meaning. These effects varied significantly across life stages. The presence of meaning played a stronger role in mediating model in older individuals, whereas the search for meaning was a more influential factor among young adults. The results provide valuable insights into how the impact of meaning in life on subjective well-being evolves across developmental stages. By addressing the relationship between uncertainty and well-being within the context of life stages, these findings contribute to understanding the individual and social functions of meaning in life within Turkish culture

Epistemology · Public health · Quality of Life Research · Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion · Medicine · Optimism, Hope, and Well-being · Philosophy · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction

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