The Effect of Search for Meaning and Positive Affect on Presence of Meaning

삶의 의미가 안녕감에 기여하는 주요 변인임이 밝혀지면서, 많은 연구들이 의미발견 과정을 이해하기 위해 시도되었다. 선행연구들에서 의미발견 과정의 한 요소로서 의미추구의 특성을 밝히고 의미추구와 의미발견의 관계를 규명하고자 하였으나, 일관되지 않은 결과를 보여 통합된 설명을 제시하지 못했다. 이에 본 연구는 횡단적 연구와 종단적 연구를 통해 의미추구의 특성을 파악하고, 의미추구와 의미발견의 관계를 밝히고자 하였다. 또한 종단적 연구를 통해 의미발견을 촉진할 것으로 예상되는 의미추구와 긍정정서를 측정하여 의미발견에 미치는 영향을 분석하였다. 이를 위해 대학생 285명(횡단적 연구)과 164명(종단적 연구)을 대상으로 의미추구와 의미발견, 긍정정서와 부정정서, 삶의 만족과 스트레스를 측정하여 상관분석과 다변량분석, 위계적 회귀분석을 실시하였다. 그 결과, 의미추구는 횡단적 연구와 종단적 연구에서 의미발견, 긍정정서 및 삶의 만족과 일관되게 정적 상관을 보였으며 의미추구 수준이 높을수록 의미발견이 높은 것으로 나타났다. 또한 의미추구와 긍정정서는 의미발견의 증가를 유의미하게 예측하는 결과를 보임으로써, 의미를 찾으려는 노력과 긍정정서 경험이 의미발견에 중요한 요인임을 밝혔다. 마지막으로 본 연구의 의의와 치료적 함의 및 제한점에 대해 논의하였다.

keywords: 의미추구, 의미발견, 긍정정서, 삶의 의미, search for meaning, presence of meaning, positive affect, meaning in life

Abstract

With the findings that meaning of life is an important variable that contributes to well-being, several studies have attempted to understand the process of finding meaning. Despite the previous efforts to identify the search for meaning and to examine the relationships between search of meaning and presence of meaning, the results had shown inconsistency and had not provided an integrated explanation. To examine the features of search for meaning and to reappraise the relationships between presence and search for meaning, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies were conducted. Also, the roles of search for meaning and positive affect that are predicted to as promote presence of meaning were investigated. Search for meaning and presence of meaning, positive and negative affect, life satisfaction and stress were assessed with 285(cross-sectional) and 164(longitudinal) college students, respectively. Using correlational analysis, multi-variate analysis, and hierarchical multiple regression, the patterns of variables was confirmed. The results of the two studies revealed that search for meaning was positively associated with presence of meaning, positive affect, and life satisfaction. Also, the results have revealed that presence of meaning is higher with a higher level of search for meaning. Findings suggest that the search for meaning itself is not dysfunctional and can lead to its presence. Specifically, the results suggested that search for meaning and positive affect enhance presence of meaning. It means that search for meaning and positive affect are both significant factors in process of finding meaning. Finally, implications for clinical practice and limitations of the results are discussed.

keywords: 의미추구, 의미발견, 긍정정서, 삶의 의미, search for meaning, presence of meaning, positive affect, meaning in life

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논문 상세

Vol.32 No.1

의미추구와 긍정정서가 의미발견에 미치는 영향

The Effect of Search for Meaning and Positive Affect on Presence of Meaning

초록

Abstract

참고문헌

한국심리학회지: 일반