The influence of relationship closeness on the feeling that life is meaningful.

摘要

Prior research has established that meaning in life (MIL) is an important component of psychological well-being. A number of studies have attempted to demonstrate that social relationships are an important contributor to the feeling that life is meaningful, yet these studies are limited in a number of ways. Based in self-expansion theory, the current dissertation expanded on prior research by examining the possibility that relationship closeness is an aspect of social relationships which plays a unique role in promoting meaning in life. Two studies (N = 83 in Study 1 and 103 Study 2) utilized daily diary and experimental methods to explore whether relationship closeness predicted greater MIL among college students. Results provided some evidence that relationship closeness predicts greater MIL. Furthermore, results suggested that the link between relationship closeness predicts greater MIL indirectly, by promoting positive affect and self-esteem.