Meaning-Making, Psychological Distress, and the Experience of Meaning in Life Following a Natural Disaster

Maffly-Kipp, Joseph; Flanagan, Patricia; Kim, Jinhyung; Rivera, Grace N.; Friedman, Matthew D.; Hicks, Joshua A.

doi:10.1177/1948550620942688

Cited by 13 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…This is in line with the theory by Frankl, who noted that depression derives from a lack of a sense of meaning [1]. It is noteworthy, however, that in the process of searching for MIL, which is linked to Distress, finding meaning is not strictly related to stress reduction [48]. Elements of Distress can therefore exist during the process of building meaning: i.e., during the search for, and the internalization of, meaningful experiences.…”

Section: Distress and Milsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…On the one hand, MIL can cause anxiety and distress, and on the other hand, high distress can increase MIL. The correlations between Distress and MIL, and between Curiosity and Distress are negative [48]. Curiosity was found to be negatively associated with depression, which means that higher Curiosity allows a person to better deal with depressive moods [21].…”

Section: The Theoretical Modelmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…Therefore, we included this variable, i.e., Distress, in our model and examined its relation to both Curiosity and MIL. We expect that there are negative relationships between Distress (understood as anxiety and depression) and MIL [48]. Distress, anxiety, and depression can block or inhibit the search for MIL.…”

Section: The Theoretical Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Protective Role of Curiosity Behaviors in Coping with Existential Vacuum

Gawda,

Korniluk

2024

Behavioral Sciences

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An existential vacuum is experienced as a kind of crisis that one can cope with using his/her strengths. The related literature suggests that the important determinants of coping with existential emptiness include positive emotional and personality resources, and among these—Curiosity Behaviors. The purpose of this study is to describe the role of curiosity as an important factor in relation to emotional resources in individuals experiencing an existential vacuum. A survey was conducted using online tools (n = 484). The hypotheses about the direct and indirect relationships between Curiosity Behaviors and existential vacuum were tested using multiple regression analyses and mediations. The study involved a sample of adult participants representing the general population. The participants completed five questionnaires, the first one focusing on Curiosity Behaviors, such as seeking out novel and challenging experiences and engagement in activities that capture one’s attention (The Curiosity and Exploration Inventory), and the other tools being the Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale, the Emotional Regulation Questionnaire, the Flourishing Scale, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale. The results indicate that Curiosity Behaviors characteristically negatively predict existential vacuum. In addition, other variables, such as Flourishing, seem to be useful in explaining the relationships between these factors. Flourishing along with Curiosity increases a sense of Meaning in Life. Our results present evidence showing the importance of Curiosity Behaviors in coping with the existential vacuum.

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Section: Distress and Milsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: The Theoretical Modelmentioning

confidence: 92%

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The Protective Role of Curiosity Behaviors in Coping with Existential Vacuum

Gawda,

Korniluk

2024

Behavioral Sciences

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“…A human-made or natural disaster can disrupt one's global meaning (Maffly-Kipp et al, 2020;Park, 2016), upend human lives, and cause a significant economic loss (Furedi, 2007). The COVID-19 pandemic is an example of a natural disaster that created worldwide health, economic, environmental, and social crises that threaten individuals' survival (World Disasters Report, 2020;World Health Organization, 2020).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Searching and Making Meaning of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspectives of African Immigrants in the United States

Ekwonye

Truong

2021

Journal of Humanistic Psychology

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African immigrants continue to be disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is unclear how they are searching for and finding meaning in the face of this adversity. This study sought to understand how African immigrants in the United States are searching for and making meaning of the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted in-depth interviews remotely with 20 immigrants from West Africa (Nigeria and Ghana), East Africa (Somali and Rwanda), and Central Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo). The meaning-making model was used as a framework to understand the processes of coping during a significant, adverse life event. The study found that some participants attempted to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their global meaning by seeking answers as to why the pandemic occurred and creating positive illusions. Some redefined their priorities and reframed the pandemic in a positive light. Participants found meaning in the form of accepting the pandemic as a reality of life, appreciating events previously taken for granted, and making positive changes in their lives. This study’s findings can inform health care providers of the meaning-making processes of African immigrants’ and the need to assist them in their search for meaning.

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“…While some disasters are avoidable or may be mitigated, natural disasters happen randomly and are difficult to predict and control (Maki et al, 2019 ), making it hard for victims to understand why they happen (Norris et al, 2002 ). As a result, victims of natural disasters may turn to God to explain their experiences (Stephens et al, 2013 ) or search for meaning in the trauma (Maffly-Kipp et al, 2021 ). Furthermore, compared to traumatic experiences that tend to be specific to victims (e.g., serious illness, family difficulties, poverty, rape, and child abuse), the experience of a natural disaster is shared with other victims (Oishi et al, 2017 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

CEO’s Childhood Experience of Natural Disaster and CSR Activities

2023

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Interest in the drivers of firms’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) is growing. However, little is known about the influence of a CEO’s childhood experience of natural disasters on CSR. Using archival data, we explore this relationship by offering three mechanisms that may account for how the CEO’s childhood experience of natural disaster is related to their CSR. More specifically, while prior research has established a positive relationship based on the post-traumatic growth theory, we show that the dual mechanisms of prosocial values and a CEO’s risk aversion explain the positive relationship. We further find that the positive relationship is stronger (1) when CEOs have longer career horizons and (2) when community social capital is high. This study contributes to both research and managerial implications on the topics of CEO’s childhood experience and CSR. In particular, this study advances the upper echelon theory by revealing that a CEO’s childhood experience of natural disaster is a useful yet relatively underexplored variable that can help explain the substantial variations in firms’ CSR. Moreover, we emphasize that a CEO’s career horizons and level of community social capital are important variables that further amplify the effect of a CEO’s childhood experience of natural disaster on the firm’s CSR commitment.

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Meaning-Making, Psychological Distress, and the Experience of Meaning in Life Following a Natural Disaster

Cited by 13 publications

References 32 publications

The Protective Role of Curiosity Behaviors in Coping with Existential Vacuum

The Protective Role of Curiosity Behaviors in Coping with Existential Vacuum

Searching and Making Meaning of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspectives of African Immigrants in the United States

CEO’s Childhood Experience of Natural Disaster and CSR Activities

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