Crisis or contentment? A mixed-method exploration of psychosocial factors influencing meaning in life during midlife

Article


Bhatia, A., Laungani, D., Hyland, L. and Kashi, A. 2025. Crisis or contentment? A mixed-method exploration of psychosocial factors influencing meaning in life during midlife. SAGE Open. 15 (1). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251323552
TypeArticle
TitleCrisis or contentment? A mixed-method exploration of psychosocial factors influencing meaning in life during midlife
AuthorsBhatia, A., Laungani, D., Hyland, L. and Kashi, A.
Abstract

The concept of meaning in life has received growing empirical interest over the last decade; however, it remains less explored in the context of midlife transition. This mixed-method study assesses factors associated with the search for and presence of meaning in life in a sample of middle-aged adults residing in the United Arab Emirates. Multiple regression analysis of data from 152 participants revealed that personal growth and self-compassion, but not materialism, significantly predicted the search for and presence of meaning in life. Qualitative data from five participants were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Three central themes were identified- “lessons learnt from the midlife transition,”“spirituality redefined at midlife,” and “growing through giving.” The findings contribute to the domains of humanistic psychology and counselling practice. Researchers recommend shifting from the crisis approach to a more positive, growth-oriented view of midlife.

Keywordsmeaning in life; mixed-method; psychosocial factors; midlife transition
Sustainable Development Goals3 Good health and well-being
Middlesex University ThemeHealth & Wellbeing
PublisherSAGE Publications
JournalSAGE Open
ISSN
Electronic2158-2440
Publication dates
PrintJan 2025
Online20 Mar 2025
Publication process dates
Accepted2025
Deposited31 Mar 2025
Output statusPublished
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Open
Copyright Statement

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits any use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251323552
Web of Science identifierWOS:001448906600001
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