Psychological well-being and meaning in life

Abstract

This secondary data analysis study looked at the relationship between purpose of life and psychological well-being. The Purpose of Life Questionnaire (PIL), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Eyesenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) was completed by 180 students at the University of the Witwatersrand. Relationship was found between religiousness and positive meaning in life. It was indicated that religiousness had an influence on the amount of pathological symptoms experienced, being religious indicated less pathological symptoms. A definite relationship was also found between meaning in life (cognitive and affective aspects) and the presence of psycho-pathological symptoms, showing that positive meaning in life, shows less pathological symptoms.