Existential Indifference: Another Quality of Meaning in Life

Abstract

Existential indifference is characterized by a state of low meaningfulness that is not associated with a crisis of meaning. In the existentialist tradition, this condition has been generally acknowledged, but quantitative measurement has not been available. By using and combining both the meaningfulness and crisis of meaning scale of the SoMe, the existentially indifferent can be identified empirically. According to data from a representative sample (Study I, N = 603), existential indifference slightly decreases with age and is especially common among singles and unmarried partners. The existentially indifferent show low commitment to all sources of meaning; they demonstrate particular disinterest in self-knowledge, spirituality, explicit religiosity, and generativity. Whereas their mental health (depression, anxiety) is comparable to that of individuals who experience their lives as meaningful, their psychological well-being (positive affect, satisfaction with life) is considerably lower (Study II, N = 135).

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