Does Perceiving the Authentic Self Affect the Meaning of Life?

Rianda Febrianti, Adriana S. Ginanjar
(Submitted 21 December 2023)
(Published 28 August 2024)

Abstract


Self-authenticity and the meaning of life are important for an individual’s psychological well-being. However, studies on the relationship between authenticity and the meaning of life using a quantitative approach have been largely carried out in Western countries, with minimum research being conducted in the Indonesian context. However, several studies have found differences in self-authenticity among different social and cultural conditions. The purpose of this study was to unveil the influence of perceived authenticity on the meaning of life by controlling for self-esteem and positive affect in Indonesian adults. These control variables were added to see the influence of the two variables more precisely. This study involved 369 adult Indonesians (aged 18-64 years old, M=32.2 years). The instruments used were the Authenticity Scale, Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Test. Data collection was carried out online, and multilevel regression analysis was used to test the hypothesis. The findings indicate that, by controlling for self-esteem and positive affect, feeling authentic influences the person’s meaning in life. Perceived authenticity in the 18-35 age group is lower than in the 36-45 and 46-55 age groups. The study also found that the married group perceives themselves as more authentic than the unmarried. The findings of this study can be a basis for future studies on authenticity in Indonesia and help build awareness about the importance of authenticity for Indonesian adults.

Keywords


authenticity; perceived authenticity; meaning in life; self-esteem; positive affect

Full Text: PDF

DOI: 10.22146/jpsi.92292

References


Aftab, A., Lee, E.E., Klaus, F., Daly, R., Wu, T.C., Tu, X., Huege, S., Jeste, D.V. (2019) Meaning in Life and Its Relationship With Physical, Mental, and Cognitive Functioning: A Study of 1,042 Community-Dwelling Adults Across the Lifespan. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 81(1):19m13064. doi: 10.4088/JCP.19m13064. PMID: 31846240; PMCID: PMC7138140.

Akhtar, H. (2019). Evaluasi properti psikometris dan perbandingan model pengukuran konstruk subjective well-being. Jurnal Psikologi, 18 (1), 29-40. https://doi.org/10.14710/jp.18.1.29-40

Adhandayani, A., & Takwin, B. (2018). Pengaruh self-enhancement dan authenticity terhadap prediksi diri masa depan. Psikogenesis, 6(1), 104-117. https://doi.org/10.24854/jps.v6i1.637

Abeyta, A. A., & Routledge, C. (2018). The need for meaning and religiosity: An individual differences approach to assessing existential needs and the relation with religious commitment, beliefs, and experiences. Personality and Individual Differences, 123, 6–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2017.10.038

Anggraini, W. Y. (2022, August 29). 4 Artis Korea Meninggal Bunuh Diri, Akibat Komentar Jahat Netizen (4 Korean Artists Committed Suicide, Due to Malicious Comments from Netizens). Harian Terbit - Halaman 2. https://www.harianterbit.com/selebritas/pr-2744298045/4-artis-korea-meninggal-bunuh-diri-akibat-komentar-jahat-netizen?page=2

Anglim, J., Horwood, S., Smillie, L. D., Marrero, R. J., & Wood, J. K. (2020). Predicting psychological and subjective well-being from personality: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 146(4), 279–323. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000226

Arnett, J. J. (2014). Emerging adulthood: the winding road from the late teens through the twenties (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.

Baumeister, R. F. (2019). Stalking the True Self Through the Jungles of Authenticity: Problems, Contradictions, Inconsistencies, Disturbing Findings—and a Possible Way Forward. Review of General Psychology, 23(1), 143–154. https://doi.org/10.1177/1089268019829472

Becker, E. (1973). The denial of death. New York: Free Press.

Boyraz, G., Waits, J. B., & Felix, V. A. (2014). Authenticity, life satisfaction, and distress: A longitudinal analysis. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 61, 498–505. DOI: 10.1037/cou0000031

Chen, S. (2019). Authenticity in context: Being true to working selves. Review of General Psychology, 23(1), 60–72. https://doi.org/10.1037/gpr0000160

Chen, S., & Murphy, D. (2019). The mediating role of authenticity on mindfulness and wellbeing: A cross cultural analysis. Asia Pacific Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 10(1), 40–55. https://doi.org/10.1080/21507686.2018.1556171

Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison K. (2013). Research methods in education (8th ed.). Routledge.

Costanza, A. Prelati, M., & Pompili, M. (2019). Review the meaning in life in suicidal patients: the presence and the search for constructs. A Systematic Review. Medicina, 55, 465. doi:10.3390/medicina55080465

De Freitas, J., Cikara, M., Grossmann, I., & Schlegel, R. (2017). Origins of the belief in good true selves. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 21(9), 634–636. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2017.05.009

Dezutter, J., Waterman, A.S., Schwartz, S.J., Luyckx, K., Beyers, W., Meca, A., Kim, S.Y., Whitbourne, S.K., Zamboanga, B.L., Lee, R.M., Hardy, S.A., Forthun, L.F., Ritchie, R.A., Weisskirch, R.S., Brown, E.J., Caraway, S.J. (2014). Meaning in life in emerging adulthood: a person-oriented approach. Journal of Personality, 82(1):57-68. doi: 10.1111/jopy.12033. Epub 2013 Apr 8. PMID: 23437779; PMCID: PMC7885257.

Dezutter, J., Casalin, S., Wachholtz, A., Luyckx, K., Hekking, J., Vandewiele, W. (2013). Meaning in life: an important factor for the psychological well-being of chronically ill patients? Rehabil Psychol, 58(4):334-41. doi: 10.1037/a0034393. PMID: 24295525

Deutsche Welle. (2017, December 19). Jong Hyun shinee bunuh diri Karena Depresi (Jong Hyun Shinee Committed Suicide Due to Depression) – DW – 19.12.2017. dw.com. https://www.dw.com/id/jong-hyun-shinee-bunuh-diri-karena-depresi/a-41858973

Elfida, D. (2021). Jalan menuju bahagia: Studi mixed method tentang peran religiusitas, spiritualitas, kebersyukuran, dan makna hidup dalam kebahagiaan (Road to happiness: A mixed method study about the role of religiosity, spirituality, gratitude, and meaning in life on happiness) [Disertasi Doktor, Universitas Indonesia]. Universitas Indonesia Library. https://lib.ui.ac.id/detail?id=20517827&lokasi=lokal

Febrianti, R.., Milla, M.N., Setiamurti, A., Wulandari, A., Handayani, I., & Yuniar. (2023). Measurement of authentic personality: adaptation of the indonesian version of the authenticity scale. Jurnal Riset Aktual Psikologi, 14 (1). https://doi.org/10.24036/rapun.v14i1.122731

Frankl, V. E. (1976). Man’s search for meaning. New York: Pocket. (Original work published 1959)

Frankl, V. E. (1988). The will to meaning: Foundations and applications of logotherapy. Penguin (originally published in 1969).

García-Alandete, J. (2015). Does Meaning in Life Predict Psychological Well-Being? An Analysis Using the Spanish Versions of the Purpose-In-Life Test and the Ryff’s Scales. The European Journal of Counselling Psychology, 3(2), 89–98, doi:10.5964/ejcop.v3i2.27

George, L. S., & Park, C. L. (2016). Meaning in life as comprehension, purpose, and mattering: Toward integration and new research questions. Review of General Psychology, 20(3), 205–220. https://doi.org/10.1037/gpr0000077

George, L. S., & Park, C. L. (2017). The Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale: A tripartite approach to measuring meaning in life. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 12(6), 613–627. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2016.1209546

Goldman, B. M., & Kernis, M. H. (2002). The role of authenticity in healthy psychological functioning and subjective well-being. Annals of the American Psychotherapy Assn, 5(6), 18–20. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2002-11420-003

Goss-Sampson, M. A. (2019). Statistical Analysis in JASP 0.10.2: A Guide for Students. July 2019.

Harter, S. (2002). Authenticity. Dalam C. R. Snyder & S. J. Lopez (Eds.), Handbook of positive psychology (Hal.382–394). Oxford University Press.

Heisel, M.J., Neufeld, E., Flett, G.L. (2016). Reasons for living, meaning in life, and suicide ideation: investigating the roles of key positive psychological factors in reducing suicide risk in community-residing older adults. Aging & mental health, 20 (2), 1364-6915. DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2015.1078279

Heintzelman, S. J., & King, L. A. (2019). Routines and meaning in life. Personality and SocialPsychology Bulletin, 45(5), 688-699. DOI: 10.1177/0146167218795133.

Hicks, J. A., Schlegel, R. J., & King, L. A. (2010). Social threats, happiness, and the dynamics of meaning in life judgements. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 36(10), 1305-1317. DOI: 10.1177/0146167210381650.

Hicks, J. A., Schlegel, R. J., & Newman, G. E. (2019). Introduction to the special issue: Authenticity: Novel insights into a valued, yet elusive, concept. Review of General Psychology, 23(1), 3–7. https://doi.org/10.1177/1089268019829474

Hill, P. L., & Turiano, N. A. (2014). Purpose in Life as a Predictor of Mortality Across Adulthood. Psychological Science, 25(7), 1482-1486. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797614531799

Horney, K. (1950). Neurosis and human growth: The struggle towards self-realization. W. W. Norton & Co., Inc.

Ito, M., Horikoshi, M., & Kodama, M. (2009). A cross-sectional survey of age and sense of authenticity among Japanese. Psychological Reports, 105, 575–581. http://dx.doi.org/10.2466/PR0.105.2.575-581

Jongman-Sereno, K. P., & Leary, M. R. (2016). Self-perceived authenticity is contaminated by the valence of one’s behavior. Self and Identity, 15, 283–301. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15298868.2015.1128964

Jung, C. G. (1983). The essential Jung. (A. Storr, Ed.). Princeton University Press.

Kernis, M. H. & Goldman, B.M. (2006). A multicomponent conceptualization of authenticity: Theory and research. Advances In Experimental Social Psychology, 38, 283-257. doi: 10.1016/S0065-2601(06)38006-9.

Keyes, C.L.M., Ryff, C.D., & Shmokin, D. (2002). Optimizing Well-Being: The Empirical Encounter of Two Traditions. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82(6):1007-22. Doi:10.1037/0022-3514.82.6.1007

Kleiman, E. M. & Beaver, J.K. (2013). A meaningful life is worth living: Meaning in life as a suicide resiliency factor, Psychiatry Research, 210 (3), 934-939. ISSN 0165-1781. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2013.08.002.

Krok, D. (2018). When is meaning in life most beneficial to young people? Styles of meaning in life and well-being among late adolescents. Journal of Adult Development, 25(2), 96-106. doi: 10.1007/s10804-017-9280-y.

Lambert, N. M., Stillman, T. F., Baumeister, R. F., Fincham, F. D., Hicks, J. A., & Graham, S. M. (2010). Family as a salient source of meaning in young adulthood. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 5(5), 367–376. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2010.516616

Larasati, D. A. (2017, December 19). Jonghyun “shinee” Ungkap Alasan Bunuh Diri di surat terakhir (Jonghyun “Shinee” reveals reasons for suicide in last letter). detikhot. https://hot.detik.com/kpop/d-3775974/jonghyun-shinee-ungkap-alasan-bunuh-diri-di-surat-terakhir

Lavigne, K.M., Hofman, S., Ring, A.J., Ryder, A.G., & Woodward, T.S. (2013) The personality of meaning in life: Associations between dimensions of life meaning and the Big Five. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 8(1), 34-43, DOI: 10.1080/17439760.2012.736527

Lee-Won, R. J., Shim, M., Joo, Y. K., & Park, S. G. (2014). Who puts the best “face” forward on Facebook? Positive self-presentation in online social networking and the role of self-consciousness, actual-to-total friends ratio, and culture. Computers in Human Behavior, 39, 413–423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.08.007 Lutz, P. K., Newman, D. B., Schlegel, R. J., & Wirtz, D. (2022). Authenticity, meaning in life, and life satisfaction: A multicomponent investigation of relationships at the trait and state levels. Journal of Personality, 00, 1– 15. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12753

MacDonald, G. (2012). Individual differences in self-esteem (M. R. Leary, Ed.). In M. R. Leary & J. P. Tangney (Eds.), Handbook of self and identity (pp. 354–377). The Guilford Press.

Maddi, S. R. (1970). The search for meaning. In M. Page (Ed.), Nebraska Symposium on Motivation (Hal. 137–186). Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.

Martela, F., & Steger, M. F. (2016). The three meanings of meaning in life: Distinguishing coherence, purpose, and significance. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 11(5), 531–545. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2015.1137623.

Martela, F., & Steger, M. F. (2023). The role of significance relative to the other dimensions of meaning in life—An examination utilizing the Three Dimensional Meaning in Life Scale (3DM). The Journal of Positive Psychology, 18(4), 606–626. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2022.2070528

Maroqi, N. (2018). Uji validitas konstruk pada instrumen rosenberg self esteem scale dengan metode confirmatory factor analysis. JP3I (Jurnal Pengukuran Psikologi dan Pendidikan Indonesia), 7(2), 92-96. Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.15408/jp3i.v7i2.12101

Maslow, A. H. (1971). The farther reaches of human nature. New York, NY: Penguin Books.

Matsumoto, D., & Juang, L. (2013). Culture & psychology (5th Edition). Canada: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.

Moisseron-Baudé, M., Bernaud, J. & Sovet, L. (2022). Relationships between Sense of Community, Authenticity, and Meaning in Life in Four Social Communities in France. Sustainability, 14, 1018. Doi: 10.3390/su14021018.

Nartova-Bochaver, S., Reznichenko, S., & Maltby, J. (2021). The authenticity scale: Validation in Russian culture. Frontiers in Psychology, 11(January), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.609617

Puspitasari, D.A., & Mas’ud, F. (2018). Pengaruh nilai budaya nasional indonesia terhadap preferensi gaya manajemen konflik (The role of Indonesian cultural values on conflict management style). Diponegoro Journal Of Management, 7(4), 1-12. http://ejournal-s1.undip.ac.id/index.php/dbr ISSN (Online): 2337-3792

Rivera G. N., Christy, A.G., Kim J., Vess, M., Hicks, J.A., Schlegel, R.J. (2019). Understanding the relationship between perceived authenticity and well-Being. Review of General Psychology, 23(1), 113-126. doi:10.1037/gpr0000161

Rogers, C. R. (1961). On becoming a person: A therapist’s view of psychotherapy. Constable.

Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

Ryff, C. D., & Singer, B. (1998). The contours of positive human health. Psychological Inquiry, 9(1), 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327965pli0901_1

Schlegel, R. J., Smith, C. M., & Hirsch, K. A. (2013). Examining the true self as a wellspring of meaning. In J. A. Hicks & C. Routledge (Eds.), The experience of meaning in life: Classical perspectives, emerging themes, and controversies (pp. 177–188). Springer Science + Business Media. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6527-6_14

Schlegel, R. J., Hicks, J. A., & Christy, A. G. (2016). The eudaimonics of the true self. Dalam J. Vittersø (Ed.), Handbook of eudaimonic well-being (Hal. 205–213). Springer International Publishing AG. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42445-3_14

Slabu, L., Lenton, A. P., Sedikides, C., & Bruder, M. (2014). Trait and state authenticity across cultures. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 45(9), 1347–1373. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022114543520

Steger, M. F. (2018). Meaning and well-being. In E. Diener, S. Oishi, & L. Tay (Eds.), Handbook of well-being. Salt Lake City, UT: DEF Publishers. DOI: nobascholar.com

Steger, M. F., Frazier, P., Oishi, S., & Kaler, M. (2006). The meaning in life questionnaire: Assessing the presence of and search for meaning in life. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 53(1), 80–93. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.53.1.80

Steger, M. F., Kashdan, T. B., Sullivan, B. A., & Lorentz, D. (2008). Understanding the search for meaning in life: Personality, cognitive style, and the dynamic between seeking and experiencing meaning. Journal of Personality, 76(2), 199–228. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2007.00484.x

Steger, M.F., Oishi, S., & Kashdan, T.B. (2009). Meaning in life across the life span: Levels and correlates of meaning in life from emerging adulthood to older adulthood. The Journal of Positive Psychology,(4)1, 43-52, DOI: 10.1080/17439760802303127

Sutton, A. (2020). Living the good life: A meta-analysis of authenticity, well-being and engagement. Personality and Individual Differences, 153, Article 109645. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2019.109645

Swann, W. B., Jr. (2012). Self-verification theory. In P. A. M. Van Lange, A. W. Kruglanski, & E. T. Higgins (Eds.), Handbook of theories of social psychology (pp. 23–42). Sage Publications Ltd. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446249222.n27

Swann, W. B., Jr., De La Ronde, C., & Hixon, J. G. (1994). Authenticity and positivity strivings in marriage and courtship. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 66(5), 857-869. doi: https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.66.5.857

Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2013). Using Multivariate Statistics (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

Tran, V. (2020). Positive Affect Negative Affect Scale (PANAS). In: Gellman, M.D. (eds) Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-39903-0_978

Van Tongeren, D. R., Hook, J. N., & Davis, D. E. (2013). Defensive religion as a source of meaning in life: A dual mediational model. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 5(3), 227–232. https://doi.org/10.1037/a003269

Watson, D., & Naragon, K. (2009). Positive affectivity: The disposition to experience positive emotional states. In S. J. Lopez & C. R. Snyder (Eds.), Oxford handbook of positive psychology (2nd ed., pp. 207–215). Oxford University Press.

<p class="western" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -12.7mm; margin-left:


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.




Copyright (c) 2024 Jurnal Psikologi

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.