A Study on the Relationship Between Presence of Meaning and Search for Meaning Among University Students

Hao Zhao; Min Xiao; Wuyutong Shen; Ziqing Ding; Tianyi Wang; Huan Liu

doi:10.47297/wspiedWSP2516-250004.20261001

PDF
Export
Share
Collection
Album

A Study on the Relationship Between Presence of Meaning and Search for Meaning Among University Students

Volume 10, Issue 1

Views: 0 Downloads: 0

A Study on the Relationship Between Presence of Meaning and Search for Meaning Among University Students
A Study on the Relationship Between Presence of Meaning and Search for Meaning Among University Students
Suzhou University of Technology, School of Education, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215500, China
Vol. 10, Issue 1, Pages: 21-25(2026)
Published：30 January 2026
DOI：10.47297/wspiedWSP2516-250004.20261001
Accepted：

Scan QR Code

Zhao Hao,Xiao Min,Shen Wuyutong,et al.A Study on the Relationship Between Presence of Meaning and Search for Meaning Among University Students[J].Journal of International Education and Development,2026,10(01):21-25.
DOI：

Zhao Hao,Xiao Min,Shen Wuyutong,et al.A Study on the Relationship Between Presence of Meaning and Search for Meaning Among University Students[J].Journal of International Education and Development,2026,10(01):21-25. DOI： 10.47297/wspiedWSP2516-250004.20261001.

摘要

Abstract

Objective

To explore the relationship between the presence of meaning and the search for meaning among Chinese university students.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 820 university students using the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ). Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and correlation analysis.

Results

Correlation analysis revealed that 36.1% of students reported a high level of presence of meaning

while 64.6% reported a high level of search for meaning.

Conclusion

Presence of meaning and search for meaning showed a significant positive correlation. Most university students are in a state of uncertainty but generally demonstrate an awareness of exploring meaning in life.

关键词

Keywords

references

Frankl V . E . ( 1962 ). Man's search for meaning . Boston : Beacon Press .

Steger M F . Meaning in life .In:S J Lopez.(Ed.), Encyclopedia of positive psychology . Oxford,UK : Blackwell Publishing , 2009 : 605 - 610 .

Steger M.F. , Kawabata Y. , Shimai S. , ＆ Otake K. ( 2008 ) . The meaningful life in Japan and the United States: Levels and correlates of meaning in life . Journal of Ｒesearch in Personality , 42 ( 3 ) , 660 － 678 .

Reker G. T., & Wong P. T. P . ( 1988 ). Aging as an individual process: Toward a theory of personal meaning . In J. E. Birren, V. L. Bengtson, J. E. Birren & V. L. Bengtson (Eds.), Emergent theories of aging. (pp. 214 - 246 ). New York, NY, US : Springer Publishing Co .

George L S , Park C L . Meaning in life as comprehension , purpose, and mattering: Toward integration and new research questions . Review of General Psychology , 2016 , 20 ( 3 ): 205 - 220 .

Liu Y. N. , Zhang X. , Zhu C. Q. , et al . ( 2020 ). Research on Meaning of Life from the Perspective of Positive Psychology . Chinese Journal of Special Education , ( 11 ): 70 – 75 .

Zhang R. W. , & Song M. M. ( 2024 ). The Status and Characteristics of Meaning in Life in Early Adulthood: A Longitudinal Study .Journal of Jimei

University (Education Science Edition) , 25 ( 4 ): 59 – 68 .

Tian Y. D. , Gao R. , Bao H. X. , et al . ( 2023 ). A cross-temporal meta-analysis of changes of meaning in life in Chinese college students . Chinese Mental Health Journal , 37 ( 7 ): 603 – 609 .

Liu S. S. , & Gan Y. Q. ( 2010 ). Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Meaning in Life Questionnaire among college students .

Chinese Journal of Mental Health , 24 ( 6 ): 478 – 482 .

Zhang S. Y. , & Xu Y. ( 2012 ). Relationship Between Search for and Presence of Meaning in Life in High School Students . Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology , 20 ( 6 ): 871 – 873 .

Steger MF , Kashdan TB , Sullivan BA , et al . Understanding the search for meaning in life: Personality, cognitive style, and the dynamic between seeking and experiencing meaning . Journal of Personality , 2008 , 28 : 199 - 228 .

Steger MF , Frazier P , Zacchanini JL . Terrorism in two cultures: Traumatization and existential protective factors following the September 11th attacks and the Madrid train bombings . Journal of Trauma and Loss , 2008 , 13 : 511 - 527 .

Steger MF , Frazier P , Oishi S , et al . The meaning in life questionnaire:earch for meaning in life . Journal of Counseling Psychology , 2006 , 53 : 80 - 93 .

Steger M F . Meaning in life .In:S J Lopez.(Ed.), Encyclopedia of positive psychology . Oxford,UK : Blackwell Publishing , 2009 : 605 - 610 .

Zhang R. W. ( 2018 ). Characteristics and influencing mechanism of college students' meaning in life (Unpublished doctoral dissertation) . Shan

ghai Normal University , Shanghai , China .

Ni Xudong , Tang Wenjia . The Absence of And Search for Meaning in Life . Psychological Exploration , 38 ( 6 ): 497 – 503 .

Erikson E . H . ( 1964 ). Childhood and society (2nd ed.)[M ] .W. W. Norton .

Wang X. Q. , You Y. Y. , & Zhang D. J. ( 2016 ). Psychometric Properties of Meaning in Life Questionnaire Chinese Version(MLQ-C)in Chinese University Students and Its Relations with Psychological Quality . Journal of Southwest University (Natural Science Edition) , 38 ( 10 ): 161 – 167 .

Klinger E.( 1998 ). The search for meaning in evolutionary perspective and its clinical implications . I n P. T. P. W. P. S. Fry (Ed.), The human quest for meaning:A handbook of psychological research and clinical applications (pp. 27 - 50 ). Mahwah ,NJ,US : Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers .

Chen Y. H. , Ye Y. D. , Wang L. X. , et al . ( 2012 ). A study on relationship between life-meaning feeling and suicidal intension of college students . Journal of Nanjing Medical University (Social Sciences Edition) , 12 ( 6 ), 423 – 426 .