meaninggiving

Meaninggiving is the process by which individuals interpret, evaluate, and ascribe significance to events, experiences, or life circumstances, in order to integrate them into a coherent sense of self and life narrative. It is closely related to, and sometimes used interchangeably with, meaning-making or sense-making, but the term emphasis can lie on actively attributing purpose or value to what has occurred rather than merely interpreting it.

In theoretical terms, meaninggiving draws on psychology, sociology, and narrative approaches. In coping and palliative care literatures, meaninggiving refers to how people reconstruct beliefs, goals, and identities in the face of disruption, loss, or trauma. Core mechanisms include appraisal of discrepancies between experiences and global beliefs or values; cognitive reframing; constructing or revising personal narratives; and social sharing or cultural scripting that helps situate the experience within a broader context.

Contexts and outcomes: Meaninggiving occurs across ordinary life events and major life challenges, including illness, bereavement, career change, or relational stress. When it aligns with a person’s values and supports a sense of purpose, meaninggiving is associated with greater resilience, reduced distress, and well-being. However, it can also be maladaptive if interpretations justify harm, suppress legitimate emotions, or impose rigid worldviews.

Culture and social context shape what counts as meaningful and who participates in meaninggiving, through religion, community norms, language, and shared stories. Researchers study meaninggiving through interviews, narrative analysis, and, in psychology, measures of meaning or purpose.