Researchers have examined the prese

Researchers have examined the presence of meaning in life
and the search for meaning in life as separate constructs (Park,
Park, & Peterson, 2010; Steger et al., 2009). The former is the
extent people comprehend, make sense of, or see significance
in their lives; the latter is defined as the extent to which peopletry to form and/or expand their understanding of their lives’
meaning, significance, and purpose (Steger et al., 2009).With
respect to well-being and adjustment, clear associations have
been demonstrated between indicators of meaningfulness
(e.g., purpose in life, a sense of coherence) and positive adjustment,
life satisfaction, and happiness (Robak & Griffin, 2000),
whereas a lack of meaning has been associated with depression,
psychological distress, and pathology (Wong & Fry, 1998).
A large body of research has examined various aspects and
processes relevant to goal pursuits and their association with
the two kinds of well-being (Koestner, Lekes, Powers, &
Chicoine, 2002; Little, Salmela-Aro, & Phillips, 2007). One
of the most significant distinctions relates to whether goals are
intrinsically selected, and how congruent people feel with them
(Little, 1998). In general, progress toward goals that are congruent
with one’s values and intrinsically chosen for ‘‘authentic’’
and ‘‘self-concordant’’ purposes has been significantly
associated with eudemonic well-being and a sense of purpose
and meaningfulness, as well as with hedonic well-being (Sheldon,
Ryan, Deci & Kasser, 2004; Sheldon & Kasser, 2001). For
example, the strength of extrinsic aspirations—say for wealth
or fame—has been related to wanting and searching for meaning
in life, but not to having purpose or meaning in life,
whereas the strength of intrinsic aspirations—say for relatedness
or competence—has been positively associated with wanting
meaning in life, searching for meaning in life, and with
having purpose or meaning in life (Weinstein, Ryan, & Deci,
2012). Together, these different lines of research clearly tie the
adoption of meaningful goals (intrinsically chosen and self concordant),
and especially the progress toward their attainment,
with eudemonic and hedonic well-being.