Meaning in life across the adult lifespan: age differences in levels and correlates of purpose, significance, and coherence in a broad US sample

While research into meaning in life (MIL) recognizes its developmental nature, there is little empirical evidence into age differences in MIL, especially in terms of its constituent components purpose, coherence, and significance. Using Local Structural Equation Modeling, we examined cross-sectional mean-level and structural age differences in MIL and its subcomponents in a sample of 782 US adults (19–85 years). We found a general increase in overall MIL, purpose, coherence, and significance across the lifespan. In contrast, exploratory analyses using subjective rather than chronological age showed a decrease from around midlife. Correlations between MIL and its components remained stable across ages, as did correlations with subjective well-being and depressive symptoms. In contrast, overall MIL became more strongly correlated with purpose, coherence, and depressive symptoms with increasing subjective age. These findings contribute fundamentally to a lifespan understanding of MIL, paving the way for future research into how aging experiences shape personal meaning.