Meaning in life in emerging adults from a UK birth cohort: Predictors and mental health outcomes

There is evidence that an individual's sense of meaning in life is associated with their mental health. Previous research, however, has often overlooked emerging adulthood, antecedents of meaning in emerging adulthood, and subsequent mental health, despite this being a period of growing independence and increased risk of mental health problems. Using data from a large UK birth cohort (n = 3337), we examined if a range of factors including relatedness, social and practical support, functional health problems, income, education, parenthood, risk taking, religious belief and behaviour) (assessed between ages 23 to 26) are associated with the presence of and search for meaning in life (Meaning in Life Questionnaire at age 26). We then examined associations between presence of and search for meaning in life with subsequent mental health outcomes at ages 29 to 31 (anxiety, depression, depressive symptoms, self-harm, self-harm thoughts and low wellbeing). Relatedness, and practical social, and belief in a higher power were positively associated with greater presence of meaning in life, whereas health-related functioning problems were negatively associated. Presence of meaning in life was associated with reduced odds of subsequent mental health difficulties, including depression, depressive symptoms, anxiety, self-harm, and low wellbeing. In contrast, search for meaning in life was associated with increased odds of anxiety and low wellbeing. These findings highlight the importance of social connections (emotional and practical support) and health in meaning in life during emerging adulthood, and the oppositional roles of presence and search dimensions in mental health outcomes.