Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

2-2023

Abstract

Current work on meaning-making has primarily focused on major negative life events such as trauma and loss, leaving common daily adversities unexplored. This study aimed to examine how utilizing meaning-making strategies such as positive reappraisal and self-distancing (in isolation or in combination) can facilitate an adaptive processing of these daily negative experiences. Overall meaning and facets of meaning (coherence, purpose, and significance/mattering) were assessed at both global and situational levels. Results suggested that positive reappraisal was generally effective for enhancing situational meaning but not under all conditions. Specifically, when negative experiences were high on emotional intensity, reflecting on the experience from a distanced (third-person) perspective enhanced coherence and existential mattering more than engaging in positive reappraisal. However, when negative experiences were low on intensity, distanced reflection led to less coherence and mattering than positive reappraisal. The findings of this study elucidated the importance of examining the multidimensional construct of meaning at the facet level and highlighted the importance of applying different coping strategies to effectively make meaning out of daily negative experiences.

Keywords

Meaning in life, Daily negative experiences, positive reappraisal, self-distancing, situational meaning

Discipline

Applied Behavior Analysis | Social Psychology

Research Areas

Psychology

Publication

Frontiers in Psychology

Volume

14

First Page

1

Last Page

17

ISSN

1664-1078

Identifier

10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1093412

Publisher

Frontiers Media

Copyright Owner and License

Authors CC-BY

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1093412

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