Assessing meaning and meaning making in the context of stressful life events: Measurement tools and approaches

TLDR

Meaning research has expanded to examine global meaning and the process of making meaning from traumatic or serious life events, yet measurement tools have not kept pace with theoretical advances. This paper aims to delineate a comprehensive meaning‑making framework that integrates existing theories of meaning and meaning‑making. Using this framework, the authors review and evaluate current methods for assessing global and situational meaning constructs. They recommend adopting an integrative assessment approach to better capture meaning‑related phenomena in future studies. No supplementary information provided.

Abstract

AbstractTheory and research on meaning has proliferated in recent years, focusing on both global meaning and processes of making meaning from difficult life events such as trauma and serious illness. However, the measurement of meaning constructs lags behind theoretical conceptualizations, hindering empirical progress. In this paper, we first delineate a meaning-making framework that integrates current theorizing about meaning and meaning making. From the vantage of this framework, we then describe and evaluate current approaches to assessing meaning-related phenomena, including global meaning and situational meaning constructs. We conclude with suggestions for an integrative approach to assessing meaning-related constructs in future research.Keywords: meaningmeaning makingmeasurementstresstraumaworldviews