MEANING IN LIFE OF MALAYSIAN ADOLESCENTS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Meaning in life is largely related to many positive psychology components. As having a meaning in life has a large impact on the adolescents’psychological and subjective well-being. The adolescents’ meaning in life can be defined based on their life experiences and understanding on one’s life. As there are many crimes and life distress among the adolescents. This research is aimed to study and explore how Malaysia adolescents understand and view their meaning in life. Qualitative methods will be used in the study. A total of 10 participants will be participating in the actual study. One-to-one interview will be used to collect the data. Coding and themes are used to analyze the data. The present study has found that future path, relationship, psychological well-being, subjective well-being and significance are the 5 components for the adolescents to describe and perceive their meaning in life as these factors impact adolescents to seek for meaning in life. Therefore, it is understood that these 5 components will affect the adolescents’ to seek for and perceive their meaning in life. Having a positive of self will support the adolescents to seek for a meaning in life. Therefore, there are some implications can be done by the teachers, school counsellors, parents, government and NGOs to enhance the adolescents’ meaning in life. The study has limited samples which restricted the researchers from representing the data on all the adolescents in Malaysia. There are some recommendations can be done for the future researchers to improve the present study.