Identifying childhood correlates of adult purpose and meaning across 22 countries (Global Flourishing Study)
Abstract How might we cultivate a life imbued with purpose and meaning? Though common experience indicates purpose and meaning are inherently important, empirical evidence confirms they are also linked to improved health/well-being. However, childhood antecedents of purpose and meaning in adulthood...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-04-01
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| Series: | npj Mental Health Research |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s44184-025-00127-9 |
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| Summary: | Abstract How might we cultivate a life imbued with purpose and meaning? Though common experience indicates purpose and meaning are inherently important, empirical evidence confirms they are also linked to improved health/well-being. However, childhood antecedents of purpose and meaning in adulthood are understudied. We analyzed nationally representative data from 22 countries in the Global Flourishing Study (N = 202,898) and evaluated whether 11 aspects of a child’s upbringing correlate with purpose and meaning in adulthood, and if these associations vary by country. Some childhood factors were associated with increased purpose and meaning, including: good health, good relationship with parents, economic stability, regular religious service attendance, being female, and older birth cohorts. Childhood factors associated with decreased purpose and meaning included: abuse, feeling alienated, poor health, economic hardship, and loss of a parent. These findings may inform the development of programs designed to foster purpose and meaning that are globally adaptable and locally nuanced. |
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| ISSN: | 2731-4251 |