Differences in the Meaning in Life of Patients Diagnosed with Mental Disorders*

Abstract

The differences in the meaning in life (MiL) of people with mental disorders are analyzed. Participants were 157 Spanish out-patients (28 men, 17.83%, and 129 women, 82.17%) age-ranged from 13 to 68 years old (M = 32.58, SD = 13.34) and diagnosed with schizophrenia-spectrum (n = 20), eating (n = 85), anxiety (n = 28), and major depressive disorders (n = 24). A Spanish adaptation of the Purpose-in-Life Test, which showed an excellent internal consistency, v = 0.91, was used. An analysis of covariance showed a significant effect of diagnosis in MiL (F(4, 192) = 27.08, p = 0.000, h2 = 0.371) after controlling for the effects of gender (F(1, 192) = 2.34, p = 0.128), age (F(1, 192) = 0.58, p = 0.447), and length of evolution (F(1, 192) = 0.29, p = 0.589). A Bonferroni post hoc test showed significant differences between both the schizophreniaspectrum and eating groups and both the anxiety and depression groups were found. MiL might play a positive role in therapeutic interventions in people with mental disorders. The pursuit and attainment of significant life goals are successful in the management of mental disorders and positively influence the therapeutic process.