![]() ![]() Meaning positively contributes to psychological and physical health because of its motivational and self-regulatory nature (see Hooker et al., 2018 Routledge, 2018). Understanding why meaning matters so much for health and well-being paves the way for a broader analysis of existential health and the role it plays in societal flourishing. Meaning is also positively associated with physical health and longevity (e.g., Czekierda et al., 2017). ![]() Moreover, meaning reduces the risk for depression (e.g., Disabato et al., 2017), addiction (e.g., Kinnier et al., 1994), and suicide (e.g., Edwards and Holden, 2001). ![]() The more people feel meaningful, the more they experience overall positive psychological well-being (e.g., Steger and Frazier, 2005). Scholars have long recognized that meaning in life is an important psychological need. Meaning Promotes Psychological and Physical Health More specifically, we argue that meaning functions as a self-regulatory and motivational intrapsychic resource that orients people toward the types of cognitions and behaviors that build and sustain healthy communities and societies. We propose that meaning has important social and economic implications, particularly when societies are facing major existential threats such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the growing recognition that meaning in life is vital for humans, scholars have largely ignored how meaning influences broader societal flourishing. ![]() Individuals who perceive their lives as full of meaning live longer, healthier, and happier lives than those less inclined to view their lives as meaningful. A growing body of research identifies meaning in life as a fundamental human need that strongly influences both psychological and physical well-being (see Vail and Routledge, 2020). Meaning in life reflects the feeling that one's existence has significance, purpose, and coherence (see Heintzelman and King, 2014). ![]()
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