What’s It All About? A Qualitative Study of Undergraduate Students’ Beliefs About Meaning of Life

Ten undergraduate students from psychology classes were interviewed regarding their beliefs about the meaning of life (definition, goals, limitations to goals, sources of meaning, and development of meaning). Interviews were analyzed using consensual qualitative research. These interviewees all indicated that meaning differs across people and time. Typical sources of meaning were relationships, altruism, career, personal growth, pursuit of happiness, and religion. Participants indicated that parents and life-changing experiences triggered changes in their thinking about meaning of life. Specific changes involved shifting from superficial to more meaningful pursuits and thinking more for themselves. Implications for further research and developing programs for helping undergraduate students examine issues related to meaning of life are offered.