Factors Influencing Meaning of Life in Adolescents

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze factors affecting meaning of life in adolescents. METHODS: Data were collected from April 5 to June 20, 2010. The participants for this study were 343 Korean middle and high school students, recruited from four middle and high schools located in Seoul. Data collection was conducted through the use of 7 questionnaires. The data were analyzed with the SPSS WIN 12.0 program using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: 1) The mean total item score for the meaning of life scales was 2.99, which was slightly high. 2) There was a significant relationship between meaning of life and self-esteem, self control, parenting attitude, family satisfaction, school adjustment, and career maturity. 3) Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that self-esteem, family satisfaction, school adjustment, parenting attitude and career maturity were predictors of meaning of life and accounted for 57.1% of the variance in meaning of life. CONCLUSION: Self-esteem, family satisfaction, school adjustment, parenting attitude and career maturity were variables influencing meaning of life in adolescents. These results indicate a need to develop nursing interventions to increase self-esteem, family satisfaction, school adjustment, parenting attitude and career maturity in order to improve meaning of life for adolescents.