Do Violations of Global Beliefs and Goals Drive Distress and Meaning Making Following Life Stressors?

Abstract

Theoretical and treatment approaches posit that violations of beliefs and goals by stressful experiences drive distress and meaning making. However, empirical work examining this notion is limited. Accordingly, we tested violations’ role in driving distress and meaning-making using repeated assessments among 180 undergraduates coping with a recent significant stressor. On four occasions over two months, we collected data on belief and goal violations, distress, and meaning making. A within-person analytic approach showed that when participants' violations changed, their distress and meaning making also changed in the same direction. Additionally, violations had a unique association with meaning making, independent of distress. Results suggest that experiencing discrepancy between a stressor and one's beliefs and goals may be distressing and lead to efforts to reduce that discrepancy. Additional research on how individuals successfully resolve violations could improve understanding and treatment of individuals dealing with significant stressors.