New research published in The Humanistic Psychologist reveals that higher sense of meaning in daily life predicts better mental health outcomes in children.
The link between sense of meaning in life and mental health is well-documented in adults, but relatively underexplored in children. Meaning, defined as the extent to which individuals find significance and purpose in their lives, is a key component of mental well-being. For adults, meaning is associated with better coping mechanisms during crises and overall mental health, suggesting its potential benefits for children as well.
The concept of “meaning mindset” which encompasses agency, hope, self-esteem, and openness to experience, is particularly relevant for children. In this work, Elizabeth St. John and colleagues examined the relationship between meaning mindset and mental health in children aged 6-12.
A total of 62 children were recruited from Canadian schools and places of worship. Data was collected through two online, anonymous, video-based questionnaires. The Child Identity and Purpose Questionnaire (Ch.I.P.) was used to measure sense of meaning. This 17-item scale assesses agency, self-esteem, hope for the future, and openness to experience. Each item uses a 10-point sliding scale where children select the character they relate to for each statement (e.g., “Chip is happy to be Chip” vs. “Ceira is not happy to be Ceira.”).
Mental health was evaluated with the Interactive Symptom Assessment-long version (ISA), a 24-item scale measuring well-being and symptoms like anxiety and depression. This scale also uses a 10-point sliding scale, where children rate their agreement with statements like “Isa was cheerful this week” and “Eibe was grouchy this week.” Participants also reported how frequently they attended religious services.
The researchers found a positive association between meaning mindset and mental health. Children with higher sense of meaning in their daily lives reported better mental health and showed fewer internalizing and externalizing symptoms, with meaning mindset accounting for 50% of the variance in mental health scores.
While religious attendance alone did not directly influence mental health, results suggest it may foster a meaning mindset, which in turn enhances mental well-being. Components of meaning mindset each contributed to the overall mental health of the children. Children who reported higher levels of agency felt more control over their actions and decisions, which correlated with better mental health. Similarly, higher self-esteem, hope, and openness to new experiences were associated with fewer symptoms of anxiety, depression, and externalizing behaviors.
A limitation to this work is that cultural differences were not accounted for, which may influence the sources and significance of meaning in children’s lives. Including culturally diverse participants in future studies could provide a more comprehensive understanding of how meaning contributes to mental health across different cultural backgrounds.
The study, “Meaning as an early determinant of mental health in children”, was authored by Elizabeth St. John, Laura Lynne Armstrong, and Emmalyne Watt.