The role of “meaning in life” and meaning-making processes in coping with COVID-۱۹; a review of meaning during pandemic and ways to foster meaning-making

COVID-۱۹ outbreak has altered individuals meaning in life in several ways. People all around the world are going through life-changing losses which inevitably influence their meaning in life, how they make sense of the world and how they make meaning about the pandemic. Meaning in life is very important during such hard times because it is a construct that fosters resilience and psychological well-being. The way individuals make sense of the world and the ongoing situation influences their coping mechanisms. Moreover, meaning-making processes can help individuals avoid complicated grief, PTSD, worry, and even reach post-traumatic growth. Investigating the different aspects of people’s life influenced by COVID-۱۹ and the role played by meaning, this review tries to bring about a better understanding of meaning as a construct that contributes to better adapting. It also gathers four methods for enhancing meaning in life and meaning-making processes in order to improve resilience and well-being in people. This methods include life crafting intervention, creativity, family meaning making and ways to foster meaning making of the COVID-۱۹ in general population.

Keywords:

COVID-۱۹ , loss , meaning , meaning-making , meaning in life , resilience