1. Presence and Search for the Meaning in Life and Adjustment Variables
Nino Skhirtladze, Nino Javakhishvili, Seth J. Schwartz
D. Uznadze Psychology Institute, Ilia State University, University of Miami
Cadiz, 2016

2. Moderation
studies have found either presence of meaning or search for meaning to serve as a moderator for links between presence of meaning and search for meaning on the one hand and outcomes such as life satisfaction and depression/happiness (Steger, Oishi, &Kesebir, 2011; Cohen &Carins, 2012).

3. Profiles/Clusters
A recent study did typological analysis according to the presence of meaning and search for meaning and looked at adjustment - variables such as
anxiety, depression and self-esteem
(Dezutter, Schwartz, Waterman, Meca, 2014).

4. Research Aim
To combine both approaches and to look at: Moderation interaction between search for and presence of meaning in life vis-à-vis various outcome variables including depression, state anxiety, and self-esteem Profiles Clusters according to combination of presence of meaning and search for meaning vis-à-vis various outcome variables including depression, state anxiety, and self-esteem

5. Method
Sample: 300 young Georgian adults 78% students, 22% non-students; 80.3% - women; mean age , SD 2.22.

6. Method
Instruments: Meaning in Life - The Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ), Steger, M. F., Frazier, P., Oishi, S., & Kaler, M State Anxiety - State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Spielberger et al. 1983

7. Method
State Anxiety - State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Spielberger et al Depression - Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD,) Radloff, L Self-esteem - Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), Rosenberg, M. 1965

8. Results – Moderation analysis
Search for meaning did not play any role vis-à-vis any of the dependent variables.

9. Results – Moderation analysis
Presence of meaning serves as a predictor: Self-esteem – b=.14, p=000 Depression - b= -.16, p=000 State anxiety - b= -.16, p=000

10. Results – summing up Moderation hypothesis was not confirmed
As search for meaning in life did not play any role for the outcome variables studied
Only presence of meaning in life plays a modest role for all three studied variables
5/6/2018

11. Results - Cluster Analysis
5 cluster solution: Cluster 1 - diffusion % Cluster 2 – foreclosure - 9.7% Cluster 3 – moratorium % Cluster 4 - achievement % Cluster 5 – undifferentiated % We used Marcia’s model to name the clusters

12. Results

13. Results

14. Discussion
The most adjusted cluster is foreclosed, with high presence and low search The next well adjusted cluster is achieved, with high presence and high search The least adjusted cluster is diffused - with low presence and low search The next least adjusted cluster is moratorium - high search and low presence

15. Discussion
Presence of meaning in life is crucial for adjustment for Georgian young adults; However, in case of lack of presence of meaning in life, search for meaning in life supports better adjustment; While those, who neither hold meaning in life, nor search for it, are the least adjusted.

16. Discussion
Presence of meaning in life appears to be an important predictor for depression, as shown elsewhere, as well as for anxiety and for self-esteem We might suppose that there are some personality traits that moderate or mediate links between search for meaning in life and outcome/ adjustment variables

17. Discussion
The initial aim of combining the moderation and cluster analysis Moderation analysis did not yield any significant results Cluster analysis did

18. Thank you!