Sense of meaning and study perseverance and completion: a brief report

Abstract

The study examines sense of meaning influences on study perseverance and course completion among students within a faculty of management sciences at a South African university (n = 40). Participants were selected for high scores on the Purpose in life (PIL) scale (n = 20; 50%) and contrasting low scores on the same (n = 20; 50%) (age range = 27 to 30 years, females = 73%, majority ethnicity = 70% Sotho speaking). Data were analysed using independent-samples t-test group comparison procedure. The results suggest that a high sense of meaning can explain study perseverance and completion.

Literature Review on the Relationship between Identity Formation and Meaning in Life Among Emerging Adults

“…Moreover, a significant link between purpose in life and parents as a resource has also been found. Makola (2014) continued the previous study by examining whether students who have a higher sense of meaning are more likely to persevere and continue with their studies compared with those who have lower sense of meaning. Participants were composed of two groups (20 students with a high Purpose in Life score and 20 students with a low Purpose in Life score) randomly selected from the 101 students who participated in the previous study.…”

“…Moreover, it has also been found that a high sense of meaning enables students to persevere and complete their studies (Makola, 2014) and can significantly predict academic performance among college students (Mason, 2017; Makola, 2007). These existing literature suggests that meaning in life is beneficial to youth development (Navarez, 2017), and it is the salience of having meaning in life among college students that paved the way for empirical studies to examine what might contribute to having this sense of meaning.…”

Perceived teacher autonomy support for adolescents’ reading achievement: The mediation roles of control-value appraisals and emotions

“…It illustrates how individuals consistently pursue learning goals despite various challenges and difficulties ( Steger et al, 2008 ; Hill et al, 2016 ). Individuals who have a higher level of meaning in life are rarely suffering existential frustration and psychological problems ( Makola, 2014 ). Previous evidence reported that having meaning in life makes a difference in one’s cognition and behaviors and is closely linked to positive outcomes, such as self-esteem ( Steger et al, 2006 ) and enjoyment ( Steger et al, 2006 ), and thus produces a significant influence on relevant educational outcomes (e.g., Steger et al, 2008 ).…”

The Relationships Between First‑Year Students’ Sense of Purpose and Meaning in Life, Mental Health and Academic Performance

“…A sense of PAM in life appears to be a valuable construct for HE. However, studies about meaning in life in the SAHE sector is still limited (Makola & Van den Berg, 2008a, 2008bMakola, 2014;Mason, 2014Mason, , 2017Nell, 2014). The study explored how a sense of PAM, mental health and academic performance of first-year students at a HEI enrolled for courses in management sciences with at-risk subjects related to one another.…”

“…Makola and Van den Berg (2008b) reported a significant positive relationship between first-year students' sense of PAM and their academic performance. Research demonstrated students' level of PAM as positively linked to their better adjustment to university; more effective study strategies; better class attendance; better time management; perseverance and study completion (Makola, 2014;Makola & Van den Berg, 2010). Tinto (1993) identified students' intentions and commitment as key to their perseverance and success.…”