A recent study published in The Humanistic Psychologist sheds light on the connection between children’s sense of meaning in life and their mental health. While we’ve long understood this link in adults, it’s been relatively unexplored in children.
Researchers examined children aged 6 to 12 and found that those with a stronger sense of meaning reported better mental health. This “meaning mindset” which includes agency, hope, self-esteem, and openness to new experiences, played a significant role. In fact, it accounted for a whopping 50% of the variance in mental health scores. So, encouraging kids to find purpose and significance in their lives could be a powerful way to support their well-being!
